The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, July 17, 2026:
Across
Spanish question word
The answer is Que.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
National Ice Cream Month and National Hot Dog Month
The answer is July.
Battery life, informally
The answer is Juice.
Poker buy-ins
The answer is Antes.
Tie up, as a ship
The answer is Moor.
Down
Only world capital that starts with "Q"
The answer is Quito.
Painful sore
The answer is Ulcer.
Snake ___ (dice roll)
The answer is Eyes.
The daughter of Saturn, sister of Jupiter and mother to Mars, in Roman myth
The answer is Juno.
Traffic snarl
The answer is Jam.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.
