Mini #24 — the answers

The Mini crossword from September 25, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Guided — LED
2. 4. British noble — EARL
3. 6. Goodie — TREAT
4. 8. What you’re called — NAME
5. 9. Guys — MEN

Down

1. 1. Allow — LET
2. 2. Bring home — EARN
3. 3. Sleep story — DREAM
4. 5. Weak, as an excuse — LAME
5. 7. Number of bowling pins — TEN

The walkthrough

One way through: start at 1-Across, then let each answer feed the words it crosses — the slot with the most letters already showing is the one to fill next.

1. 1-Across, “Guided” — nothing given yet: LED.
2. 1-Down, “Allow” — L·· from the crossings: LET.
3. 4-Across, “British noble” — E··· from the crossings: EARL.
4. 2-Down, “Bring home” — EA·· from the crossings: EARN.
5. 6-Across, “Goodie” — TR··· from the crossings: TREAT.
6. 3-Down, “Sleep story” — DRE·· from the crossings: DREAM.
7. 8-Across, “What you’re called” — NA·· from the crossings: NAME.
8. 5-Down, “Weak, as an excuse” — LAM· from the crossings: LAME.
9. 9-Across, “Guys” — ME· from the crossings: MEN.
10. 7-Down, “Number of bowling pins” — already spelled out by its crossings: TEN.

The answer

Previous: Mini #23 (Thu, Sep 24)

About Mini

Mini is Noggin’s five-by-five crossword, on the second shelf: one grid a day against the clock, outside the daily line-up. How to play Mini, or play today’s.