The NYT Mini Crossword is the perfect daily challenge to sharpen your wit and expand your vocabulary, all in a compact package! Just like its larger counterpart, the Mini Crossword delivers clever clues and satisfying solutions, but in a bite-sized format that’s perfect for a coffee break or a quick unwind. We know how addictive it can be, so to help you out (or just confirm your brilliant solves!), here are the answers for today’s NYT Mini Crossword for July 31, 2025.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues & Answers for July 31, 2025
Put on your thinking cap! Here are the clues for today’s puzzle.
Across Clues: ➡️
- 1 Across: Quick punches – Starts with “J”
- 5 Across: Animal with unique stripes, similar to human fingerprints – Starts with “Z”
- 6 Across: The People’s ___ (The Rock’s signature wrestling move) – Starts with “E”
- 7 Across: Pumps the brakes, say – Starts with “S”
- 8 Across: Many “Bluey” viewers – Starts with “T”
Down Clues: ⬇️
- 1 Down: Treat once advertised as “America’s Most Famous Dessert” – Starts with “J”
- 2 Down: Head of a monastery – Starts with “A”
- 3 Down: Furrowed facial features – Starts with “B”
- 4 Down: Lumber mill tools – Starts with “S”
- 5 Down: Grated citrus peel – Starts with “Z”
Got all your guesses in? Let’s see how you did below!
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for July 31, 2025
Across Answers: ➡️
- 1 Across: Quick punches – JABS
- 5 Across: Animal with unique stripes, similar to human fingerprints – ZEBRA
- 6 Across: The People’s ___ (The Rock’s signature wrestling move) – ELBOW
- 7 Across: Pumps the brakes, say – SLOWS
- 8 Across: Many “Bluey” viewers – TOTS
Down Answers: ⬇️
- 1 Down: Treat once advertised as “America’s Most Famous Dessert” – JELLO
- 2 Down: Head of a monastery – ABBOT
- 3 Down: Furrowed facial features – BROWS
- 4 Down: Lumber mill tools – SAWS
- 5 Down: Grated citrus peel – ZEST
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answer Image for July 31, 2025

What do you think of today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle? Were you able to guess all the answers?
How to Play the NYT Mini Crossword
Playing the NYT Mini Crossword is super simple!
- The Goal: Fill in the grid with words that fit the clues, both Across and Down.
- The Clues: You’ll have two sets of clues: “Across” clues correspond to horizontal words in the grid, and “Down” clues correspond to vertical words.
- Word Length: While not always explicitly stated in the clues themselves, the grid implicitly tells you how many letters each answer has, helping you fit it in.
- Intersections: The beauty of a crossword is that words intersect! A letter you fill in for an “Across” word will also be part of a “Down” word, and vice versa. This helps you figure out tougher words as more letters become known.
- Daily Refresh: Just like its big brother, the full NYT Crossword, the Mini Crossword refreshes every 24 hours with a brand new puzzle. So, if you don’t get it today, there’s always a fresh challenge tomorrow!