Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and leans on crisp trivia, clean definitions, and a translation-based flourish. Settle in for a welcoming grid with a satisfying central connection.
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: 10x9
Total Clues: 33 (15 Across, 18 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 29A is the trickiest clue because its unusual paralysis behavior demands specific animal knowledge.
Gimme Clue: 16A is the cleanest gimme because the Spanish addition resolves directly.
Theme Spotted: "Two Ways of Saying It"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Grain grown in paddies
Hint: Picture the staple grain cultivated in flooded paddies. Four letters, starts with R.
5A. Features of some non-straightened hair
Hint: Think of the coiled texture that untreated hair can naturally form. Five letters, starts with C.
10A. Large-screen movie format
Hint: Name the premium movie presentation known for its towering screen. Four letters, starts with I.
11A. From Korea or Kuwait, say
Hint: Use the continental adjective shared by someone from Korea or Kuwait. Five letters, starts with A.
12A. Iconic 1942 film co-starring Humphrey Bogart ... and 25-Across in Spanish
Hint: Think of the Bogart classic whose title is also a Moroccan city, then notice the Spanish reading. Ten letters, starts with C.
14A. Breakfast fare that can be folded or rolled
Hint: Picture the egg dish that can be folded around fillings or rolled before serving. Six letters, starts with O.
15A. Beer container with a tap
Hint: Think of a small barrel fitted with a tap for dispensing beer. Three letters, starts with K.
16A. Uno + dos
Hint: Add uno and dos, keeping the result in Spanish. Four letters, starts with T.
18A. Not safe, in baseball
Hint: Use the baseball ruling when a runner fails to beat the play. Three letters, starts with O.
21A. Haul, from the Yiddish
Hint: Reach for the Yiddish-derived verb for carrying something with effort. Six letters, starts with S.
25A. Landmark in Washington, D.C. ... and 12-Across in English
Hint: Name the presidential residence in Washington, D.C., then translate the Spanish title at 12A. Ten letters, starts with W.
27A. Moon-related
Hint: Seek the adjective tied to Earth's moon. Five letters, starts with L.
28A. Totally captivated
Hint: Think of being fully absorbed and completely captivated. Four letters, starts with R.
29A. Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back
Hint: The clue points to a sea predator known for tonic immobility when inverted. Five letters, starts with S.
30A. Musical thing a singer can "carry"
Hint: Think of the melody a vocalist can carry. Four letters, starts with T.
Down Hints
1D. Puerto ___
Hint: Complete the name of the Caribbean territory beginning with Puerto. Four letters, starts with R.
2D. Muslim prayer leader
Hint: The role leads congregational prayer in Islam. Four letters, starts with I.
3D. "In ___ you missed it ..."
Hint: Complete the familiar phrase that introduces information someone failed to see. Four letters, starts with C.
4D. Glorify
Hint: Use a verb meaning to praise highly or raise in esteem. Five letters, starts with E.
5D. Pasadena school that manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, informally
Hint: Name the Pasadena science and engineering school that manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, using its informal form. Seven letters, starts with C.
6D. Co-host of the 2026 World Cup
Hint: Think of the North American nation co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. Three letters, starts with U.
7D. Ice skating venue
Hint: Picture the enclosed icy venue where skaters circle. Four letters, starts with R.
8D. Shoestring
Hint: The clue seeks the cord threaded through a shoe's eyelets. Four letters, starts with L.
9D. Unexpected obstacle
Hint: Think of a sudden hitch or unexpected complication. Four letters, starts with S.
13D. Go ___ (completely lose control)
Hint: Complete the phrase for losing all control with a word meaning frenzied. Seven letters, starts with B.
17D. Far from tall
Hint: Use the direct opposite of tall. Five letters, starts with S.
18D. Hooting birds
Hint: Think of nocturnal birds whose calls are hoots. Four letters, starts with O.
19D. "Nope"
Hint: Render a casual spoken refusal that matches the sound of “nope.” Four letters, starts with U.
20D. ___ Weymouth, bassist for Talking Heads
Hint: Think of the Talking Heads bassist who co-founded Tom Tom Club. Four letters, starts with T.
22D. Hawaiian feast
Hint: Picture a traditional Hawaiian banquet and celebration. Four letters, starts with L.
23D. "Monday Night Football" channel
Hint: Name the sports network that airs “Monday Night Football.” Four letters, starts with E.
24D. Comedian Davidson
Hint: The clue points to the comedian known for “Saturday Night Live” and “The King of Staten Island.” Four letters, starts with P.
26D. La Brea ___ Pits
Hint: Complete the name of the La Brea fossil site in Los Angeles. Three letters, starts with T.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Grain grown in paddies
Answer: RICE
5A. Features of some non-straightened hair
Answer: CURLS
10A. Large-screen movie format
Answer: IMAX
11A. From Korea or Kuwait, say
Answer: ASIAN
12A. Iconic 1942 film co-starring Humphrey Bogart ... and 25-Across in Spanish
Answer: CASABLANCA
14A. Breakfast fare that can be folded or rolled
Answer: OMELET
15A. Beer container with a tap
Answer: KEG
16A. Uno + dos
Answer: TRES
18A. Not safe, in baseball
Answer: OUT
21A. Haul, from the Yiddish
Answer: SCHLEP
25A. Landmark in Washington, D.C. ... and 12-Across in English
Answer: WHITEHOUSE
27A. Moon-related
Answer: LUNAR
28A. Totally captivated
Answer: RAPT
29A. Animal that can go into temporary paralysis when flipped on its back
Answer: SHARK
30A. Musical thing a singer can "carry"
Answer: TUNE
Down Answers
1D. Puerto ___
Answer: RICO
2D. Muslim prayer leader
Answer: IMAM
3D. "In ___ you missed it ..."
Answer: CASE
4D. Glorify
Answer: EXALT
5D. Pasadena school that manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, informally
Answer: CALTECH
6D. Co-host of the 2026 World Cup
Answer: USA
7D. Ice skating venue
Answer: RINK
8D. Shoestring
Answer: LACE
9D. Unexpected obstacle
Answer: SNAG
13D. Go ___ (completely lose control)
Answer: BERSERK
17D. Far from tall
Answer: SHORT
18D. Hooting birds
Answer: OWLS
19D. "Nope"
Answer: UHUH
20D. ___ Weymouth, bassist for Talking Heads
Answer: TINA
22D. Hawaiian feast
Answer: LUAU
23D. "Monday Night Football" channel
Answer: ESPN
24D. Comedian Davidson
Answer: PETE
26D. La Brea ___ Pits
Answer: TAR
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 12A CASABLANCA paired with 25A WHITEHOUSE defines the puzzle because the film title translates literally into the Washington landmark. The clueing turns two full-width entries into a bilingual reveal.
Wordplay Winner: 30A TUNE wins the wordplay nod because “carry” sounds physical until the singer context activates the familiar musical expression.
Quick Fill: 16A TRES is the fastest confident fill because uno plus dos supplies it immediately. At the grid's center, it confirms EXALT, BERSERK, CALTECH, and SHORT through its crossings.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Bank the direct definitions first, such as RICE, KEG, and TAR, then use their checked letters to settle nearby names and phrases.
When paired clues advertise translation, solve them together. CASABLANCA and WHITEHOUSE clear full rows and provide letters for nearly every Down entry they cross.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, rewarding direct knowledge before unveiling its bilingual centerpiece. CASABLANCA and WHITEHOUSE gave the puzzle its cleanest and most memorable connection.
See you at the next grid.
