NYT Mini Hints and Solutions for 23. July, 2026
The Mini #24087 for Thursday, July 23, 2026 is a 5x5 grid with 10 clues (5 Across, 5 Down), starting with 1-Across: “Instrument in the bluegrass classic "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"”. Every answer stays hidden until you reveal it.
Across
6 Across: Smart ___ (wise guy) (5 letters)
7 Across: Compete in a contest that's lost by blinking (5 letters)
8 Across: Strongly disliked (5 letters)
9 Across: One of eight on a chessboard, or five in a Mini crossword (3 letters)
Down
1 Down: Criticize harshly (4 letters)
2 Down: Where wedding rings are exchanged (5 letters)
3 Down: "Cool beans!" (5 letters)
4 Down: Preppy clothing brand (5 letters)
5 Down: Gave the green light (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 5x5 with 10 clues, and its longest answer is 5 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 23, 2026
How many clues are in the July 23, 2026 NYT Mini crossword?
The Mini (#24087, 2026-07-23) has 10 clues — 5 Across and 5 Down.
What size is the July 23, 2026 Mini grid?
A 5x5 grid.
What's the longest answer in this puzzle?
5 letters — no spoilers, but that's your longest foothold if you're stuck.