NYT Mini Crossword: Grid with numbers

Answer

SUDOKU

Letters: 6

Appeared: Oct 8, 2025

🎯 Complete Explanation

What is Sudoku?

SUDOKU is a logic-based number-placement puzzle played on a 9×9 grid. The clue "grid with numbers" is a straightforward definition clue - Sudoku literally presents as a grid filled with numbers that players must complete according to specific rules.

How Sudoku Works

Grid Structure: 9×9 grid divided into 3×3 subgrids (called "boxes" or "regions")
Objective: Fill every empty cell with digits 1-9
Rules: Each digit appears exactly once in every row, column, and 3×3 box
Starting Point: Some cells are pre-filled as clues (the "givens")

Why This Clue Works

The NYT Mini often features puzzle-related clues that solvers would recognize. "Grid with numbers" perfectly describes Sudoku's visual appearance without needing deeper knowledge of the rules - anyone who has seen Sudoku would recognize it as a grid containing numbers.

📚 History & Cultural Impact

Origins & Evolution

• 1979: Originally created by Howard Garns as "Number Place"
• 1984: Introduced in Japan by Nikoli, renamed "Sudoku"
• 2004: International popularity boom after Wayne Gould developed computer software
• 2005: The Times (London) and NYT begin featuring Sudoku

Global Phenomenon

• Published in over 100 countries
• Millions of daily players worldwide
• Mobile apps with billions of downloads
• Competitive Sudoku championships held globally

🤔 Why Other Puzzles Don't Fit

KENKEN (6 letters)

Also uses a grid with numbers, but includes mathematical operations. Less universally recognized than Sudoku.

KAKURO (6 letters)

Mathematical crossword using numbers, but not as well-known to general audiences as Sudoku.

CROSSWORD (9 letters)

While crossword grids contain numbers, they're primarily letter-based puzzles and exceed the 6-letter limit.

GRIDLE (6 letters)

Not a real puzzle type - a made-up word that wouldn't be used in a legitimate crossword clue.

🧩 Sudoku Solving Strategies

Scanning (Single Position)

Look for cells where only one number can logically go based on row, column, and box constraints.

Cross-Hatching

Scan rows and columns to eliminate possibilities and find the single remaining location for each number.

Candidate Elimination

Mark possible numbers in each cell and systematically eliminate options based on surrounding filled cells.

Naked Pairs/Triples

Advanced technique where two or three cells in a unit must contain the same set of numbers.

🎲 Sudoku Variations

Mini Sudoku

4×4 or 6×6 grids for beginners and quick solving

Killer Sudoku

Combines Sudoku with Kakuro - regions must sum to specific totals

Diagonal Sudoku

Additional constraint: main diagonals must also contain 1-9 once

📰 NYT & Puzzle Culture

The New York Times has embraced puzzle culture beyond traditional crosswords. In addition to the main crossword and NYT Mini, the Times features:

• Letter Boxed: Word puzzle connecting letters in a box
• Spelling Bee: Word-building hexagonal puzzle
• Connections: Group words by common categories
• Vertex: Geometric drawing puzzle

This Sudoku clue reflects how puzzle terminology has become mainstream vocabulary that crossword constructors can reasonably expect solvers to know.

NYT Mini Puzzle Crossword

Browse Words By Starting Letter

← Back to October 08, 2025 Puzzle

Love number puzzles? Try our complete Sudoku guide for solving strategies