Need help with the daily grid. You aren’t alone. The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 2 is tricky enough to stump people. Or maybe just fast-paced enough to make you sweat. We’ve got the keys right here. No guessing. Just straight answers for those 6-by-7 cells.
Check out the hints first if you’re stuck. Then dive in. The regular big puzzles, Wordle, and Strands live over on CNET if those are your vices too. But we’re here for the mini. It’s a quick fix.
Here’s what goes in the boxes.
Across the grid
- 1A: The “A” of G.P.A.? That’s short for average. Put down AVG.
- 4A: Fashion history. Oscar de la Renta. Fill in DELA.
- 6A: You need canals to run gondolas around a certain city. Write CANALS.
- 8A: The Rialto is famous. It is a bridge. Specifically BRIDGE.
- 9A: Cruel act on a pet? To DECLAW a cat. Gross. But true.
- 10A: A pair of peepers? They are EYES. Simple biology.
Down the columns
- 1D: “On ___”—it’s a common prank trope. Adare. ADARE.
- 2D: The puzzle theme centers on one specific place. It’s the city of water. VENICE.
- 3D: An eager “Yes!” in two words. Or just one. GLADLY works.
- 5D: Pond scum is usually ALGAE. Don’t drink the lake.
- 6D: That relaxing stuff in the cookies? It’s short for cannabinoid. Just use CBD.
Most people rush the mini. That’s how they get the eyes wrong.
There we go. Grid cleared. Feel that dopamine hit. Now you have to wait until tomorrow. Why do we torture ourselves with puzzles every single morning anyway?
Maybe because tomorrow’s clues won’t be so kind. 🧩
