:up_arrow: or :down_arrow:
Crossword Answer — July 18, 2026
Think about what points in various directions! ➡️
Tap each tile or show full answer below
NYT Mini Crossword
Saturday, July 18, 2026
By Joel Fagliano
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
NYT Mini Crossword Clues
Across
Down
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. 24 cans of beer — Answer: CASE. Hint: Think about how beer is often packaged for sale! 🍻
- 5. :up_arrow: or :down_arrow: — Answer: ARROW. Hint: Think about what points in various directions! ➡️
- 6. Cold spike? — Answer: ICICLE. Hint: Think about a chilly formation hanging from rooftops! ❄️
- 7. Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!" — Answer: CHACHAS. Hint: Think of a lively Latin dance that's all about rhythm and fun! 💃
- 8. Cybersecurity menace — Answer: HACKER. Hint: Think of someone who sneaks into digital spaces for mischief! 🔍
- 9. Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, etc. — Answer: IVIES. Hint: These schools are famous for their elite education and a certain climbing plant! 🍇
- 10. "Cool!" — Answer: NEAT. Hint: When things are tidy and organized, they often get a thumbs up! 👍
Down
- 1. A sport, or an insect — Answer: CRICKET. Hint: This game involves a bat and ball, plus it shares a name with a chirpy little creature! 🦗
- 2. Parts of the McDonald's logo — Answer: ARCHES. Hint: Think of a golden shape that's hard to miss while driving by! 🍟
- 3. Renewable energy option — Answer: SOLAR. Hint: Think about harnessing the power of the sun for green energy! ☀️
- 4. Female sheep — Answer: EWES. Hint: This woolly creature is often found grazing in fields with her flock! 🐑
- 5. Thorny tree that's a favorite of giraffes — Answer: ACACIA. Hint: This tree is known for its bright flowers and is quite popular among certain long-necked herbivores! 🌳
- 6. "___ my reasons ..." — Answer: IHAVE. Hint: When you want to explain your motivations, you might say this phrase! 🤔
- 7. Place for hair in "The Three Little Pigs" — Answer: CHIN. Hint: Think about where a pig might keep its whiskers! 🐷
The answer to “:up_arrow: or :down_arrow:” in the New York Times Mini crossword is ARROW — a 5-letter word. This clue ran in the NYT Mini on July 18, 2026 (5-Across), and if it's the last square standing between you and a finished grid, that's the word you need. Below you'll find why it fits, plus every other clue and answer from that day's puzzle in case more than one square has you stuck.
“:up_arrow: or :down_arrow:” answer
ARROW (5 letters)
Use the reveal tiles above to uncover the solution one letter at a time if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Prefer the full answer straight away? It's ARROW.
Why the answer is ARROW
Think about what points in various directions! ➡️
More NYT Mini answers for July 18, 2026
Stuck on more than one square? Here's every other clue from the NYT Mini on July 18, 2026 — tap any clue for its answer and explanation.
Across
- 1. 24 cans of beer → CASE
- 5. :up_arrow: or :down_arrow: → ARROW
- 6. Cold spike? → ICICLE
- 7. Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!" → CHACHAS
- 8. Cybersecurity menace → HACKER
- 9. Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, etc. → IVIES
- 10. "Cool!" → NEAT
Down
- 1. A sport, or an insect → CRICKET
- 2. Parts of the McDonald's logo → ARCHES
- 3. Renewable energy option → SOLAR
- 4. Female sheep → EWES
- 5. Thorny tree that's a favorite of giraffes → ACACIA
- 6. "___ my reasons ..." → IHAVE
- 7. Place for hair in "The Three Little Pigs" → CHIN
Want the whole grid in one place? The full NYT Mini answer list for July 18, 2026 is on the puzzle's answers page, and today's live NYT Mini answers are always one click away from the today page.
About the NYT Mini Crossword
The New York Times Mini is a free, 5×5 (sometimes larger) bite-size version of the paper's famous crossword, edited by Joel Fagliano. It publishes a fresh grid every day and is built for a fast solve — most players finish in a minute or two — which is exactly why a single tricky clue stands out. Because the Mini leans on everyday, current references, the answers are usually common words once the wordplay clicks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “:up_arrow: or :down_arrow:”?
The answer is ARROW, a 5-letter word. It appeared in the New York Times Mini crossword on July 18, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “:up_arrow: or :down_arrow:”?
5 letters: ARROW.
Where did this clue appear?
In the New York Times Mini crossword on July 18, 2026, at 5-Across.
Where can I find the rest of today's NYT Mini answers?
Every clue and answer from that day's puzzle is linked above, and the full grid is on the NYT Mini answers page.