If you’re anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the daily Connections, Wordle and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!
Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan-following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you’re working on today’s Mini on Friday, July 4, 2025, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Friday, July 4, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: Uncle ___ — HINT: Ends with the letter “M”
4 Across: It’s full of stars — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”
6 Across: It’s full of stripes — HINT: Starts with the letter “Z”
7 Across: Month when the American Revolutionary War began — HINT: Ends with the letter “L”
8 Across: 4th of July sales promotions, e.g. — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”
Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Big brand of hummus — HINT: Ends with the letter A”
2 Down: Foul-smelling — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”
3 Down: Breakfast, lunch and dinner — HINT: Starts with the letter “M”
4 Down: Singer who performed “All the Stars” at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”
5 Down: Lively energy — HINT: Ends with the letter “P”
Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Friday, July 4, 2025
Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: Uncle ___ — SAM
4 Across: It’s full of stars — SPACE
6 Across: It’s full of stripes — ZEBRA
7 Across: Month when the American Revolutionary War began — APRIL
8 Across: 4th of July sales promotions, e.g. — ADS
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Big brand of hummus — SABRA
2 Down: Foul-smelling — ACRID
3 Down: Breakfast, lunch and dinner — MEALS
4 Down: Singer who performed “All the Stars” at Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show —SZA
5 Down: Lively energy — PEP
That’s it! How quickly were you able to complete today’s Mini?!
