Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and a brisk mix of pop culture, everyday vocabulary, and playful clues awaits. Come in and enjoy the crossings.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, offering a mid-size grid that takes a few satisfying minutes to clear. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime.
New puzzles drop daily. The Midi offers more complexity than the Mini while remaining accessible for solvers who want a quick but substantial challenge.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 9x9
Total Clues: 29 (15 Across, 14 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 4D is the trickiest: its binoculars clue asks you to spot a second reading in 16A and 19A.
Gimme Clue: 11A is the easiest gimme: its holiday helper clue points to a familiar workshop character.
Theme Spotted: "Look to the Skies"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Music media that followed cassettes
Hint: Think of the shiny discs that took over from cassette tapes. Three letters, starts with C.
4A. Book jacket blurbs
Hint: Think of short sketches of authors printed on a book's outer cover. Four letters, starts with B.
8A. Tony-winning actress ___ Salonga
Hint: Think of the stage performer who provided the singing voice for Disney's Jasmine and Mulan. Three letters, starts with L.
9A. Lounged around and did nothing
Hint: Picture a lazy afternoon spent doing very little. Five letters, starts with I.
11A. Santa's little helper
Hint: Think of a tiny worker in Santa's workshop. Three letters, starts with E.
12A. Event that's full of bull?
Hint: The clue's bull is literal; think of a Western sport with riders and bucking stock. Five letters, starts with R.
13A. Grassy expanse
Hint: Picture open grassland stretching to the horizon. Five letters, starts with F.
15A. They're flashed at bouncers
Hint: Think of the cards a club doorman asks to see. Three letters, starts with I.
16A. Expert archer in the Marvel Universe portrayed by Jeremy Renner
Hint: Think of Jeremy Renner's bow-wielding Marvel hero. Seven letters, starts with H.
18A. Bean harvested to make chocolate
Hint: Think of the source bean behind chocolate and cocoa. Five letters, starts with C.
19A. Fit neatly together
Hint: Think of puzzle pieces that lock together with a snug fit. Eight letters, starts with D.
22A. Pub pintful
Hint: Think of a beer served by the pint in a pub. Three letters, starts with A.
23A. Coagulate
Hint: Think of what blood does when it thickens into a mass. Four letters, starts with C.
24A. Forbid
Hint: Think of an official rule that bars something. Three letters, starts with B.
25A. Round of applause
Hint: Think of the applause you give a performer after a show. Four letters, starts with H.
Down Hints
1D. Music staff symbol
Hint: Think of the mark at the start of a music staff that sets its notes. Four letters, starts with C.
2D. Supermarket section where you might hear "Now serving ..."
Hint: Picture the counter where sliced meats and cheeses are sold. Four letters, starts with D.
3D. Sanctuary
Hint: Think of a place of refuge from danger. Nine letters, starts with S.
4D. What some Audubon Society members do with binoculars ... or a hint to 16- and 19-Across?
Hint: Think of the hobby that sends Audubon members out with binoculars; then inspect 16A and 19A for the same idea. Nine letters, starts with B.
5D. Ceremonial words
Hint: Think of the vow a couple speaks at a wedding. Three letters, starts with I.
6D. An ___ but a goodie
Hint: Complete the familiar phrase for a cherished song from years past. Five letters, starts with O.
7D. Like a run-down joint
Hint: Picture a shabby bar with a grimy interior. Five letters, starts with S.
10D. Two tablets, maybe
Hint: Think of the measured amount a doctor prescribes. Four letters, starts with D.
14D. String in a skate or a hoodie
Hint: Picture the cord threaded through a skate or hoodie. Four letters, starts with L.
17D. Marsupial that can sleep about 20 hours a day
Hint: Think of the eucalyptus-eating Australian marsupial known for sleeping most of the day. Five letters, starts with K.
18D. Flavor of some bottle-shaped gummies
Hint: Think of a fizzy brown drink that lends its taste to candy. Four letters, starts with C.
19D. Little bit of cream
Hint: Think of a tiny smear of cream applied with a fingertip. Three letters, starts with D.
20D. Charged particle
Hint: Think of an atom that gains or loses an electron. Three letters, starts with I.
21D. Business name abbreviation, in Britain
Hint: Think of the short suffix attached to a British company's name. Three letters, starts with L.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Music media that followed cassettes
Answer: CDS
4A. Book jacket blurbs
Answer: BIOS
8A. Tony-winning actress ___ Salonga
Answer: LEA
9A. Lounged around and did nothing
Answer: IDLED
11A. Santa's little helper
Answer: ELF
12A. Event that's full of bull?
Answer: RODEO
13A. Grassy expanse
Answer: FIELD
15A. They're flashed at bouncers
Answer: IDS
16A. Expert archer in the Marvel Universe portrayed by Jeremy Renner
Answer: HAWKEYE
18A. Bean harvested to make chocolate
Answer: CACAO
19A. Fit neatly together
Answer: DOVETAIL
22A. Pub pintful
Answer: ALE
23A. Coagulate
Answer: CLOT
24A. Forbid
Answer: BAN
25A. Round of applause
Answer: HAND
Down Answers
1D. Music staff symbol
Answer: CLEF
2D. Supermarket section where you might hear "Now serving ..."
Answer: DELI
3D. Sanctuary
Answer: SAFEHAVEN
4D. What some Audubon Society members do with binoculars ... or a hint to 16- and 19-Across?
Answer: BIRDWATCH
5D. Ceremonial words
Answer: IDO
6D. An ___ but a goodie
Answer: OLDIE
7D. Like a run-down joint
Answer: SEEDY
10D. Two tablets, maybe
Answer: DOSE
14D. String in a skate or a hoodie
Answer: LACE
17D. Marsupial that can sleep about 20 hours a day
Answer: KOALA
18D. Flavor of some bottle-shaped gummies
Answer: COLA
19D. Little bit of cream
Answer: DAB
20D. Charged particle
Answer: ION
21D. Business name abbreviation, in Britain
Answer: LTD
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 4D, BIRDWATCH, defines the grid: HAWKEYE at 16A contains HAWK, while DOVETAIL at 19A contains DOVE. The clue turns both long Across entries into places to spot birds.
Wordplay Winner: 12A, RODEO, wins the wordplay: “full of bull” sounds like a complaint about nonsense, then points literally to an event with bulls.
Quick Fill: 11A, ELF, is the fastest confident fill. Its crossings give you letters in CLEF, DELI, and SAFEHAVEN, helping establish the left side of the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Use a certain short fill to start several crossings: ELF at 11A feeds CLEF, DELI, and SAFEHAVEN.
When a clue points at other entries, revisit it after those entries take shape. BIRDWATCH at 4D becomes clearer once HAWKEYE and DOVETAIL are in place.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid keeps its clues brisk, then rewards a second look at HAWKEYE and DOVETAIL.
See you at the next grid.
