Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Berkeley campus, for short”
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Answer: CAL – 3 letters
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Clue number and direction: 5 Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Berkeley campus, for short” is answered with CAL in 3 letters. In the grid, it appears as CAL going down as a compact abbreviation for the University of California, Berkeley.
Why CAL Is the Right NYT Answer
“Cal” is a widely used short form for the University of California, Berkeley, especially in sports and informal contexts. The clue says “for short,” which signals that the entry should be an abbreviation or nickname rather than the full name.
A 3-letter slot plus “Berkeley campus” strongly points to CAL rather than “UCB” or any other variant, and official NYT Mini answer listings confirm CAL as the fill for this clue on February 12, 2026.
What CAL Means
In this puzzle, CAL refers to Cal Berkeley, the familiar nickname for the University of California, Berkeley campus. You’ll often see it in phrases like “Cal football” or “Cal students.”
So the clue is simply using a casual shorthand that many people in the U.S. already know from college sports and news coverage.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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When a clue uses “for short,” “briefly,” or “informally,” expect an abbreviation, acronym, or nickname like CAL.
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Campus and school clues often use short forms: “Berkeley, briefly” → CAL; “M.I.T. rival” → CAL, for certain grids; “SoCal school” could be USC or UCLA depending on crossings.
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If you see a 3-letter pattern C_L with a California college angle, CAL should be your first guess.
Watching for these shorthand indicators will speed up many NYT Mini solves.
How CAL Fits the Grid
For 5-Down in the February 12, 2026 NYT Mini, the grid gives you a 3-letter Down slot, which matches CAL perfectly. Pattern-wise, you get:
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_AL,C_L, orCA_from crossings, all easily resolving to CAL once you notice the Berkeley reference.
Crossings from Across entries like LEVEE and DESK confirm each letter, so once those are in place, CAL becomes a lock.
Other Ways CAL Might Be Clued
CAL is common “crosswordese” and can show up with several clue styles, such as:
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“Berkeley team, informally”
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“Berkeley, briefly”
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“___ State or Berkeley” (when paired with other schools)
Whenever a puzzle leans on West Coast college nicknames, CAL is almost always in the mix.
Complete February 12, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down clues and answers)
Here are the key answers from the February 12, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Tequila cocktail that often comes in a salt-rimmed glass, casually | MARG | 4 |
| Signature export of Cuba | CIGAR | 5 |
| Bowl over | AMAZE | 5 |
| Flood regulator | LEVEE | 5 |
| Classroom station | DESK | 4 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Acted without saying anything | MIMED | 5 |
| Desert plant used in tequila production | AGAVE | 5 |
| Demolishes | RAZES | 5 |
| Language from which we get “cosmos” and “democracy” | GREEK | 5 |
| Berkeley campus, for short | CAL | 3 |
