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Mini #302 · Wednesday

Our Mini Crossword Hints: July 29, 2026

Step-by-step hints for Mini #302, our own daily mini crossword. Looking for the New York Times Mini? That’s a different puzzle, published on nytimes.com.

Play puzzle firstAnswer key
All hints
10 clues
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Across

1 Across: Tiny bit, or 1/12 of a footHint
  1. Hint 1: Think about tiny units of measurement.
  2. Hint 2: This word can mean a small amount or a unit that's part of a foot.
  3. Hint 3: A small measurement of length; starts with I.
5 Across: Extremely serious, as a warningHint
  1. Hint 1: This describes something urgent or alarming.
  2. Hint 2: Think of a warning so serious it feels almost desperate.
  3. Hint 3: Means extremely serious or urgent; starts with D.
6 Across: One who makes bread for a livingHint
  1. Hint 1: This person works in a kitchen making a certain food daily.
  2. Hint 2: Think of someone who kneads dough and works with ovens for a living.
  3. Hint 3: A person who bakes bread professionally; starts with B.
7 Across: "Excuse me" throat-clearing soundHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a sound people make before speaking to get attention politely.
  2. Hint 2: It's the little throat-clearing noise before saying something awkward.
  3. Hint 3: A polite interruption sound; starts with A.
8 Across: Flower given on Valentine's DayHint
  1. Hint 1: Think of a classic romantic gift.
  2. Hint 2: This flower is a symbol of love, often red, given on February 14th.
  3. Hint 3: A romantic flower for Valentine's Day; starts with R.

Down

1 Down: Potato-famous U.S. stateHint
  1. Hint 1: This U.S. state is known for a certain starchy vegetable.
  2. Hint 2: Its license plates literally say 'Famous Potatoes.'
  3. Hint 3: A northwestern U.S. state; starts with I.
2 Down: Popular athletic shoe brand with a swooshHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a well-known sneaker brand.
  2. Hint 2: Its logo is a checkmark-like swoosh, and its slogan says to 'just do it.'
  3. Hint 3: A famous shoe brand; starts with N.
3 Down: Rich dessert topping, or shade of whiteHint
  1. Hint 1: This word describes a smooth dessert topping or an off-white color.
  2. Hint 2: Think of whipped topping on pie, or a pale creamy shade of white.
  3. Hint 3: A rich, smooth topping or shade of white; starts with C.
4 Down: "His" counterpartHint
  1. Hint 1: This is the opposite pronoun to a male possessive word.
  2. Hint 2: If 'his' belongs to a man, this word belongs to a woman.
  3. Hint 3: A female possessive pronoun; starts with H.
6 Down: Place to grab a drinkHint
  1. Hint 1: This is a place people go to unwind with a drink.
  2. Hint 2: Think of a counter with stools where drinks are served.
  3. Hint 3: A place to get a drink; starts with B.

Use hints slowly

Reveal the first hint, try the grid again, then come back only if the crossing letters still do not move.

See answers

Before you open a hint

Mini #302 has ten clues, so this page holds 30 hints. Hint 1 points you at the idea, hint 2 narrows it down, and hint 3 all but gives it away. On this date, all ten third hints name the answer's first letter.

Short answers have the fewest possible fills, so they make a good start. The three-letter slots are 4-Down and 6-Down; the four-letter slots are 1-Across, 5-Across, 7-Across and 8-Across; the five-letter slots are 6-Across, 1-Down, 2-Down and 3-Down.

Clues to try first

  • Some clues lean on a name or title, such as 8-Across, “Flower given on Valentine's Day” and 1-Down, “Potato-famous U.S. state”; if one is unfamiliar, work its crossing answers first.

More for July 29, 2026

Rather see the grid first? Play Mini #302. When you're done, the answer key reveals one answer at a time, and the printable copy is there for paper solvers. The day after, Mini #303 (July 30, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “Hair styling products”.

July 29, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the July 29, 2026 Mini Crossword?
Yes. Every clue on this page is from our own July 29, 2026 puzzle, with three hints each, from a gentle nudge to a strong push. The answers themselves are on the answer key page.
Is this the NYT Mini hints page?
No. This is an independent daily mini crossword. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by The New York Times.
What is the difference between hints and the answer key?
Hints move you toward the answer one step at a time so you can still solve it yourself. If you want to see a solution outright, the answer key at /answers/2026-07-29 reveals one answer at a time.