Mini Crossword: A Daily 5×5 That Fits Your Morning

Full-size crosswords are a weekend project. Mini crosswords are a coffee-timer project — five-by-five, every row and column a word, done before the mug cools. Most live behind yet another site login and another forgotten streak.

The Mini Crossword module puts that daily square on MyPort.al with ranked play, hints you can choose to use, and stats that remember how you solve.

Fill the Square

A compact 5×5 word square: every row and every column is a word. Across and Down clues sit beside the grid. Tap a cell to jump; Tab or re-tap flips entry direction. Type from the keyboard or on-grid. Optional letter hints help when you're stuck — and they're tracked honestly in stats and daily ranking. Play unlimited personal puzzles when you want more, or the shared daily ranked challenge when the streak matters.

Monday, 7:25 AM. Kettle on. Mini Crossword shows today's grid. Two across falls immediately; three down needs a hint letter. You finish in under three minutes. Streak continues. Start of Day is still waiting — puzzle done, morning not derailed.

What Makes It More Than a Widget

This isn't a static PDF crossword dropped into a card. The Mini Crossword module is built for daily word players:

• Compact 5×5 word square — every row and column is a word
• Across and Down clues — tap to jump and set entry direction
• Keyboard and on-grid typing — Tab or re-tap to flip direction
• Optional letter hints — help when stuck; tracked in stats and ranking
• Unlimited personal puzzles plus daily ranked challenge — practice or compete
• Streaks, stats, achievements, and tutorial — progress that persists on your account
• Dashboard-native play — morning puzzle without leaving your board

The Fun Factor

Finishing a mini before your coffee finishes is a small, reliable win. Hints keep frustration from killing the habit; ranked mode keeps the habit from going soft. Achievements mark the streak milestones you'll actually notice.

Pair Mini Crossword with Wordle and Word Search when you want a full word warm-up row on the dashboard.

Who It's For

• Mini crossword and NYT Mini fans who want the format on their board
• Commuters who need a short daily puzzle that fits a stop or a kettle boil
• Word-game players who like timed, compact solves
• Streak and achievement collectors stacking daily word wins

Start With Mini Crossword

Mini Crossword is free, updates daily, and respects a short attention window. Fill today's square and see how the streak feels by Friday.

Preview the Mini Crossword module or add it to your dashboard — and make the 5×5 part of your morning board.