NYT Mini Hints and Solutions for 18. July, 2026
The Mini #24290 for Saturday, July 18, 2026 is a 7x7 grid with 14 clues (7 Across, 7 Down), starting with 1-Across: “24 cans of beer”. Every answer stays hidden until you reveal it.
Across
5 Across: ⬆ or ⬇ (5 letters)
6 Across: Cold spike? (6 letters)
7 Across: Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!" (7 letters)
8 Across: Cybersecurity menace (6 letters)
9 Across: Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, etc. (5 letters)
10 Across: "Cool!" (4 letters)
Down
1 Down: A sport, or an insect (7 letters)
2 Down: Parts of the McDonald's logo (6 letters)
3 Down: Renewable energy option (5 letters)
4 Down: Female sheep (4 letters)
5 Down: Thorny tree that's a favorite of giraffes (6 letters)
6 Down: "___ my reasons ..." (5 letters)
7 Down: Place for hair in "The Three Little Pigs" (4 letters)
How NYT Mini Crossword Works
The NYT Mini Crossword is a bite-sized daily puzzle created by Joel Fagliano. Unlike the standard 15x15 daily crossword, the Mini uses a compact grid — usually 5x5, sometimes larger on Saturdays — designed to be solved in a few minutes. Today's Mini is 7x7 with 14 clues, and its longest answer is 7 letters.
- Across & Down Clues are divided into horizontal (Across) and vertical (Down) directions with numbers matching grid coordinates.
- Progressive Hints Use Hint 1 for a descriptive nudge or Hint 2 for starting and ending letter bounds before using full reveals.
- Daily Reset New Mini puzzles drop daily at 10:00 PM EST on weekdays/Saturdays and 6:00 PM EST on Sundays.
NYT Mini FAQ for July 18, 2026
How many clues are in the July 18, 2026 NYT Mini crossword?
The Mini (#24290, 2026-07-18) has 14 clues — 7 Across and 7 Down.
What size is the July 18, 2026 Mini grid?
A 7x7 grid.
What's the longest answer in this puzzle?
7 letters — no spoilers, but that's your longest foothold if you're stuck.