Our Mini Crossword Hints: November 3, 2026

Across

1 Across: Winter jacketHint

Hint 1: Think about what you put on to stay warm outside.
Hint 2: This is an outer garment you'd zip or button up before heading into the cold.
Hint 3: A piece of outerwear that starts with C.

5 Across: Month after MarchHint

Hint 1: This clue is about the calendar.
Hint 2: It comes right after the third month of the year, famous for showers and flowers.
Hint 3: The month following March, starting with A.

7 Across: Military blockade of a cityHint

Hint 1: This is a military term you might hear in history class.
Hint 2: It describes surrounding a city or fort to cut off supplies and force surrender.
Hint 3: A prolonged military blockade, starting with S.

8 Across: Catchy melodiesHint

Hint 1: Think about music you can't get out of your head.
Hint 2: These are memorable melodies or songs people hum along to.
Hint 3: Catchy musical pieces, starting with T.

9 Across: The Red PlanetHint

Hint 1: This is an astronomy clue about our solar system.
Hint 2: It's the planet known for its rusty color and nickname.
Hint 3: The fourth planet from the sun, starting with M.

Down

1 Down: Group of actors in a playHint

Hint 1: This word relates to theater or film.
Hint 2: It's the collective term for all the actors performing in a show.
Hint 3: The group of performers in a production, starting with C.

2 Down: Drug derived from poppiesHint

Hint 1: This clue is about a substance with a long history in medicine and addiction.
Hint 2: It's a narcotic made from the sap of a certain flower.
Hint 3: A drug derived from poppy plants, starting with O.

3 Down: Sports stadiumHint

Hint 1: This is a place where sports events happen.
Hint 2: It's a large venue with seating around a central playing area.
Hint 3: A sports or concert venue, starting with A.

4 Down: Big striped catHint

Hint 1: This is about a wild animal known for its stripes.
Hint 2: It's the largest cat species, native to Asia, with orange and black stripes.
Hint 3: A big striped jungle cat, starting with T.

6 Down: Opposite of moreHint

Hint 1: This is a simple opposite-pair clue.
Hint 2: It means having a smaller amount of something.
Hint 3: The opposite of 'more,' starting with L.

Before you open a hint

Mini #399 has ten clues, so this page holds 30 hints. Hint 1 points you at the idea, hint 2 narrows it down, and hint 3 all but gives it away. On this date, all ten third hints name the answer's first letter.

Short answers have the fewest possible fills, so they make a good start. The four-letter slots are 1-Across, 9-Across, 1-Down and 6-Down; the five-letter slots are 5-Across, 7-Across, 8-Across, 2-Down, 3-Down and 4-Down.

Clues to try first

Some clues lean on a name or title, such as 5-Across, “Month after March” and 9-Across, “The Red Planet”; if one is unfamiliar, work its crossing answers first.

More for November 3, 2026

Rather see the grid first? Play Mini #399. When you're done, the answer key reveals one answer at a time, and the printable copy is there for paper solvers. The day before, Mini #398 (November 2, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “First, second or third, in baseball”; the day after, Mini #400 (November 4, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “Shrub or hedge plant”.

November 3, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the November 3, 2026 Mini Crossword?

Yes. Every clue on this page is from our own November 3, 2026 puzzle, with three hints each, from a gentle nudge to a strong push. The answers themselves are on the answer key page.

Is this the NYT Mini hints page?

No. This is an independent daily mini crossword. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by The New York Times.

What is the difference between hints and the answer key?

Hints move you toward the answer one step at a time so you can still solve it yourself. If you want to see a solution outright, the answer key at /answers/2026-11-03 reveals one answer at a time.