Mini #28 — the answers

The Mini crossword from September 29, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Corn unit — EAR
2. 4. Sketched — DRAWN
3. 7. Category — GENRE
4. 8. Keen — EAGER
5. 9. Finish — END

Down

1. 1. Border — EDGE
2. 2. Length times width — AREA
3. 3. Mountain chain — RANGE
4. 5. Small songbird — WREN
5. 6. Bookworm — NERD

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, “Corn unit” — nothing given yet: EAR.
2. 1-Down, “Border” — E··· from the crossings: EDGE.
3. 4-Across, “Sketched” — D···· from the crossings: DRAWN.
4. 2-Down, “Length times width” — AR·· from the crossings: AREA.
5. 7-Across, “Category” — GE··· from the crossings: GENRE.
6. 3-Down, “Mountain chain” — RAN·· from the crossings: RANGE.
7. 8-Across, “Keen” — EAG·· from the crossings: EAGER.
8. 5-Down, “Small songbird” — WRE· from the crossings: WREN.
9. 6-Down, “Bookworm” — NER· from the crossings: NERD.
10. 9-Across, “Finish” — already spelled out by its crossings: END.

The answer

Previous: Mini #27 (Mon, Sep 28)

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.