Our Mini Crossword Hints: July 31, 2026

Across

1 Across: Pose a questionHint

Hint 1: This is what you do when you want an answer from someone.
Hint 2: Think of the action of raising a question or making an inquiry.
Hint 3: It means to inquire, and it starts with A.

4 Across: Cone-shaped Native American tentHint

Hint 1: This is a traditional dwelling used by some Native American tribes.
Hint 2: Picture a portable, cone-shaped shelter often covered in animal skins.
Hint 3: It's a Native American tent, and it starts with T.

5 Across: Sound of Music heroine von TrappHint

Hint 1: This is a character from a classic 1965 musical film.
Hint 2: She's the singing governess who becomes part of the von Trapp family.
Hint 3: It's the first name of the Sound of Music heroine, and it starts with M.

6 Across: Not closedHint

Hint 1: This describes something that isn't shut.
Hint 2: Think of the opposite of closed, like a door or a store sign.
Hint 3: It means not closed, and it starts with O.

7 Across: Get marriedHint

Hint 1: This is what happens at a ceremony involving vows and rings.
Hint 2: Think of the act of becoming someone's spouse.
Hint 3: It means to marry, and it starts with W.

Down

1 Down: Broadcast on TVHint

Hint 1: This describes something that was shown on television.
Hint 2: Think of a show or program that was transmitted to viewers.
Hint 3: It means broadcast, and it starts with A.

2 Down: Rotate quicklyHint

Hint 1: This is what a top or a wheel does when set in motion.
Hint 2: Think of turning around rapidly on an axis.
Hint 3: It means to rotate quickly, and it starts with S.

3 Down: Sorento or Sportage automakerHint

Hint 1: This is a South Korean car brand.
Hint 2: Think of the company that makes the Sorento and Sportage SUVs.
Hint 3: It's a car manufacturer, and it starts with K.

4 Down: Sticky roll in the officeHint

Hint 1: This is an office supply used for sticking things together.
Hint 2: Think of a roll you'd use to seal a package or mend paper.
Hint 3: It's a sticky adhesive strip, and it starts with T.

5 Down: Cut the lawnHint

Hint 1: This is a yard chore usually done with a machine.
Hint 2: Think of trimming grass to keep the yard neat.
Hint 3: It means to cut the grass, and it starts with M.

Before you open a hint

Mini #304 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 1-Across, 7-Across, 3-Down and 5-Down; the four-letter slots are 4-Across, 6-Across, 2-Down and 4-Down; the five-letter slots are 5-Across and 1-Down.

Clues to try first

Some clues lean on a name or title, such as 4-Across, “Cone-shaped Native American tent”, 5-Across, “Sound of Music heroine von Trapp”, 1-Down, “Broadcast on TV” and 3-Down, “Sorento or Sportage automaker”; if one is unfamiliar, work its crossing answers first.

More for July 31, 2026

Rather see the grid first? Play Mini #304. 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 #305 (August 1, 2026), opens with 1-Across, “Take more than one's share of”.

July 31, 2026 Mini Crossword hints FAQ

Are these hints for the July 31, 2026 Mini Crossword?

Yes. Every clue on this page is from our own July 31, 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/2026-07-31 reveals one answer at a time.