“Powdery mineral” is one of the most common clues in crossword puzzles, including the New York Times Mini and NYT Easy Mode puzzles. If you’re stuck on it, the answer is almost always the same four-letter word.
In this article, we’ll give you the answer, explain why it fits, and cover a few alternatives in case the letter count doesn’t match.
Quick answer: The answer to the crossword clue “Powdery mineral” is TALC (4 letters). Talc is the softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale and is ground into talcum powder.
Powdery Mineral Crossword Answer
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Powdery mineral | TALC | 4 |
According to Try Hard Guides, clues like “powdery mineral” become easier to solve once you know TALC is the go-to answer. This exact clue has appeared in the NYT Mini Crossword on June 13, 2024, and in NYT Easy Mode puzzles on March 15, 2024, and April 18, 2025. It has also appeared in the LA Times, USA Today, WSJ, and Universal crosswords.
What Is Talc?
Talc is a soft mineral made of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. It’s rated 1 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it the softest mineral on that scale. You can scratch it with a fingernail, and it feels slippery or soapy.
Because it crumbles into a fine, smooth powder, talc has been used in:
- Talcum powder
- Some cosmetics
- Paper, plastics, and paint
- Ceramics
Did you know? Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada in 2020 and switched to cornstarch globally in 2023, following lawsuits and safety concerns.
In this case, knowing that talc is both soft and powdery is the key to the clue.
Other Answers That Might Fit
If TALC doesn’t fit, check the letter count and crossing words. These related answers sometimes appear with similar clues:
| Answer | Letters | Why it might fit |
|---|---|---|
| TALC | 4 | The classic answer, the softest mineral, used in powder |
| CHALK | 5 | A soft, white, powdery rock made mostly of calcium carbonate |
| GYPSUM | 6 | A soft mineral (2 on the Mohs scale) used in plaster and drywall |
Why Talc Is a Common Crossword Answer
- It’s short. Four letters fit easily into small grids like the NYT Mini.
- Its letters are common. T, A, L, and C cross well with many other words.
- It’s easy to clue. Setters can use “powdery mineral,” “soft mineral,” “baby powder ingredient,” or “1 on the Mohs scale.”
Tips for Solving Clues Like This
- Count the squares first to narrow your options.
- Fill in crossing words to confirm the letters.
- Learn crossword regulars. Short answers like TALC, ANTE, ERA, and ORE come up often.
- Watch for “softest” or “powder” in the clue, both of which point to talc.
More NYT Crossword Clue Guides
FAQs
What is the answer to “Powdery mineral” in the NYT crossword?
The answer is TALC.
What makes talc powdery?
It’s extremely soft, rated 1 on the Mohs scale, so it breaks down into a fine powder easily.
What if I need a 5-letter answer?
Try CHALK, and check your crossing words.
Is talc the softest mineral?
Yes. It’s the softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale.
Conclusion
When you see “Powdery mineral” in a crossword, the answer is almost always TALC. If it doesn’t fit, try CHALK or GYPSUM, and let your crossing words guide you. For more help, browse our other crossword clue guides.
Read also:
This article is independent and isn’t affiliated with The New York Times. Crossword answers can vary by puzzle, so check the letter count and crossing words.
