Today's hints
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The answer
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Why this answer
The letters, categories, or grid logic that made this one tricky.
What made this one tricky:
- The Mini answer set is split into 5 Across entries and 5 Down entries, so checking crossings is safer than reading the list straight through.
Today's Mini stacks a few compact phrases into a 5x5 grid. CEO sits at the top of the organization clue, AWORD compresses "a word" into crossword fill, and CHORD, TOWEL, and SANDY carry the longer across side. Down, COOWN and ERRED cross the opening C/E, while ODDLY, ACTS, and WHOA finish the grid.
Recent Mini Crossword answers
Stuck on a streak day? Past solves keep you moving.
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jul 3, 2026 | Jul 3 | Across: CEO, AWORD, CHORD, TOWEL, SANDY | Down: COOWN, ERRED, ODDLY, ACTS, WHOA |
| Thu, Jul 2, 2026 | 24214 | Across: AVG, DELA, CANALS, BRIDGE, DECLAW, EYES | Down: ADARE, VENICE, GLADLY, ALGAE, CBD, SEWS |
| Wed, Jul 1, 2026 | 24244 | Across: SIT, CHOO, THEUN, EELS, NFL | Down: SHELL, IOUS, TON, CHEF, TEN |
| Tue, Jun 30, 2026 | 24207 | Across: CAP, AGREE, FREES, FEDEX, START | Down: CAFFS, ARENA, PREST, GEERT, EXX |
| Mon, Jun 29, 2026 | 24243 | Across: WHIM, HALE, AERO, MOOD | Down: WHAM, HERO, ILO, MED |
More from the desk
AWORD and COOWN are the entries to watch because each reads more naturally with a space or hyphen in ordinary prose. Once those land, the beach and music clues are straightforward.
FAQ
What are today's NYT Mini Crossword answers for July 3, 2026?
Across: CEO, AWORD, CHORD, TOWEL, SANDY. Down: COOWN, ERRED, ODDLY, ACTS, WHOA.
How big is today's NYT Mini Crossword?
Today's Mini is a 5x5 puzzle.
Which clue is trickiest today?
AWORD and COOWN are trickiest because they compress multi-word ideas into crossword-style fill.
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