Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today's Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands and Connections puzzles.

The New York Times Crossword Puzzle is legendary. But if you don't have that much time, the Mini Crossword is an entertaining substitute. The Mini Crossword is much easier than the old-school NYT Crossword, and you probably can complete it in a couple of minutes. But if you're stuck, we've got the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times' games collection. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Strands answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let's get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Sacred flower in Hinduism and Buddhism
Answer: LOTUS

6A clue: "Sorry, too busy!"
Answer: ICANT

7A clue: Backyard border
Answer: FENCE

8A clue: Bird known for its sharp eyesight
Answer: EAGLE

9A clue: Songwriter Gallagher of Oasis
Answer: NOEL

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Board game with a choice to "Start Career" or "Start College"
Answer: LIFE

2D clue: Home to the first animals on Earth
Answer: OCEAN

3D clue: Dance that originated in Buenos Aires
Answer: TANGO

4D clue: Mother's brother
Answer: UNCLE

5D clue: Buns of ___ (classic workout video)
Answer: STEEL

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day's Mini Crossword for free, but you'll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.