NYT Mini Crossword Hints for July 11, 2026
Each clue gets a first letter, a wordplay nudge and the answer. Revealed answers fill the grid.
Across
1A Completely overhaul (6)
7A Sneak peek (7)
9A Purplish-red shade (7)
10A Item purchased before proposing (4)
11A 2010s Emmy-winning comedy starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge (7)
14A Fraudulent scheme (7)
15A 🚨 State of emergency 🚨 (7)
Down
1D Measure of engine speed, in brief (3)
2D Section of history (3)
3D Kick one's feet up, with "out" (3)
4D So-so (7)
5D Spot for little drinks that can lead to a big bill (7)
6D Cutesy moniker for a romantic partner (7)
8D Moved like an excited dog's tail (6)
11D Grp. monitoring TV decency standards (3)
12D British bathroom (3)
13D Appropriate last answer in this puzzle (3)
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Mini-sized tactics
In a 5×5, every across answer crosses every down answer, so one sure word gives you a letter in five others. Start with fill-in-the-blank clues and short, concrete nouns; leave question-mark clues, which signal wordplay, until you have crossings.
A question mark at the end of a clue is the constructor telling you not to read it literally. Abbreviations in the clue (“Org.”, “Abbr.”) mean the answer is abbreviated too.
Questions
When is the new Mini Crossword published?
Weekday Minis appear at 10 p.m. Eastern the night before; weekend Minis appear at 6 p.m. Eastern. This page loads the Mini for your device’s date.
Is the Mini Crossword free?
Yes, the daily Mini is free to play on the NYT Games app and website. The Mini archive needs a subscription.
Why is Saturday’s Mini bigger?
Saturday Minis are often larger than 5×5, sometimes 7×7, and a bit harder. The grid on this page adapts to whatever size the puzzle is.
What’s a good Mini time?
Many regulars solve in under a minute. Around two minutes is a solid everyday time; hints only affect your pride, not the NYT timer.