Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and leans on conversational clueing, crisp trivia, and vivid long entries without a formal theme. Settle in for a friendly grid that rewards careful reading.
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: 11x9
Total Clues: 36 (15 Across, 21 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 16A is the trickiest clue because the song title points to a current pop singer whose missing name must be supplied.
Gimme Clue: 2D is the clearest giveaway because the wording directly identifies Apple's tablet.
Theme Spotted: “Split Hairs”
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Question with an obvious answer
Hint: Think of the informal label for a question that hands you its response. Five letters, starts with G.
6A. Ish
Hint: Use a conversational qualifier meaning roughly or somewhat. Five letters, starts with K.
11A. Not together
Hint: Look for the condition of being separated rather than joined. Five letters, starts with A.
12A. Like some specialized committees
Hint: Picture a committee assembled for a specific, temporary purpose. Five letters, starts with A.
13A. Miraculous solution to a complicated problem
Hint: Think of a supposedly effortless remedy for a tangled issue. 11 letters, starts with M.
15A. Genre for Dom Dolla and Disclosure, for short
Hint: The target is the abbreviated electronic dance genre associated with both named artists. Three letters, starts with E.
16A. "Headphones On" pop star Addison ___
Hint: Identify Addison's full public name, the American singer and media personality behind "Headphones On," then supply the omitted portion. Three letters, starts with R.
17A. "Unfortunately, that's true"
Hint: Think of the reluctant confirmation given when bad news is correct. Eight letters, starts with A.
22A. Fire (up)
Hint: Picture an engine surging to a higher speed. Three letters, starts with R.
23A. In favor of
Hint: Use the short label for the supporting side of a debate. Three letters, starts with P.
25A. Slow-moving creatures shaped like a fruit
Hint: These are shell-less land mollusks named for their fruitlike shape and color. 11 letters, starts with B.
30A. Something an influencer might "chase"
Hint: Think of online influence and status, the currency an influencer seeks. Five letters, starts with C.
31A. Participate in a spin class
Hint: Focus on the repeated leg motion that drives a stationary bike. Five letters, starts with P.
32A. Asks to show ID
Hint: Read the clue as a verb for requesting identification, not merely displaying it. Five letters, starts with C.
33A. Like questions in 20 Questions
Hint: The format permits only an affirmative or negative response. Five letters, starts with Y.
Down Hints
1D. Angry Birds or Candy Crush
Hint: Name the type of digital entertainment represented by both titles. Four letters, starts with G.
2D. Apple tablet
Hint: Think of Apple's touchscreen device larger than a phone. Four letters, starts with I.
3D. Underground rock?
Hint: The question mark shifts "rock" into geology, so think of molten material below Earth's surface. Five letters, starts with M.
4D. Diagnostic scan, for short
Hint: Think of the abbreviated medical scan that uses magnets and radio waves. Three letters, starts with M.
5D. "You get the idea"
Hint: Use the familiar abbreviation that trails a list when further examples are understood. Three letters, starts with E.
6D. Hawaiian island that's home to Polihale State Park
Hint: Polihale State Park sits on the Hawaiian island nicknamed the Garden Isle. Five letters, starts with K.
7D. Did nothing
Hint: Use the past-tense verb for sitting unused, as an engine can remain while still running. Five letters, starts with I.
8D. Org. for Ducks and Penguins
Hint: Think ice hockey, not zoology, and identify the Ducks' and Penguins' shared league. Three letters, starts with N.
9D. Bambi's mom, for one
Hint: The clue asks for the adult female deer term. Three letters, starts with D.
10D. Play pretend
Hint: Use the verb for performing a role or pretending. Three letters, starts with A.
14D. Praise for a diva
Hint: Recall the Italian exclamation traditionally shouted to applaud a female performer. Five letters, starts with B.
18D. Impostor
Hint: Think of a person exposed as a deceptive fake. Five letters, starts with F.
19D. Has a flat, perhaps?
Hint: Treat "flat" as a dwelling, then choose the verb for paying to occupy it. Five letters, starts with R.
20D. Potatoes, by another name
Hint: Reach for a casual nickname for potatoes. Five letters, starts with S.
21D. Brain, but not mind
Hint: The clue contrasts a physical body structure with a mental concept. Five letters, starts with O.
24D. Capital of Norway
Hint: Name the capital of the Scandinavian country identified by the clue. Four letters, starts with O.
25D. Email discreetly
Hint: Think of the email field that conceals recipient addresses from each other. Three letters, starts with B.
26D. ___ carte menu
Hint: Complete the French dining phrase used when dishes are ordered individually. Three letters, starts with A.
27D. Neither's partner
Hint: Complete the standard correlative pair used to reject both alternatives. Three letters, starts with N.
28D. Mole, for one
Hint: Read "mole" as a covert operative rather than an animal or skin mark. Three letters, starts with S.
29D. Second-most-common Korean surname (after Kim)
Hint: Supply the Korean family name ranked immediately behind Kim in the clue. 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. Question with an obvious answer
Answer: GIMME
6A. Ish
Answer: KINDA
11A. Not together
Answer: APART
12A. Like some specialized committees
Answer: ADHOC
13A. Miraculous solution to a complicated problem
Answer: MAGICBULLET
15A. Genre for Dom Dolla and Disclosure, for short
Answer: EDM
16A. "Headphones On" pop star Addison ___
Answer: RAE
17A. "Unfortunately, that's true"
Answer: AFRAIDSO
22A. Fire (up)
Answer: REV
23A. In favor of
Answer: PRO
25A. Slow-moving creatures shaped like a fruit
Answer: BANANASLUGS
30A. Something an influencer might "chase"
Answer: CLOUT
31A. Participate in a spin class
Answer: PEDAL
32A. Asks to show ID
Answer: CARDS
33A. Like questions in 20 Questions
Answer: YESNO
Down Answers
1D. Angry Birds or Candy Crush
Answer: GAME
2D. Apple tablet
Answer: IPAD
3D. Underground rock?
Answer: MAGMA
4D. Diagnostic scan, for short
Answer: MRI
5D. "You get the idea"
Answer: ETC
6D. Hawaiian island that's home to Polihale State Park
Answer: KAUAI
7D. Did nothing
Answer: IDLED
8D. Org. for Ducks and Penguins
Answer: NHL
9D. Bambi's mom, for one
Answer: DOE
10D. Play pretend
Answer: ACT
14D. Praise for a diva
Answer: BRAVA
18D. Impostor
Answer: FRAUD
19D. Has a flat, perhaps?
Answer: RENTS
20D. Potatoes, by another name
Answer: SPUDS
21D. Brain, but not mind
Answer: ORGAN
24D. Capital of Norway
Answer: OSLO
25D. Email discreetly
Answer: BCC
26D. ___ carte menu
Answer: ALA
27D. Neither's partner
Answer: NOR
28D. Mole, for one
Answer: SPY
29D. Second-most-common Korean surname (after Kim)
Answer: LEE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 25A, BANANA SLUGS, defines today's puzzle. The answer is inherently vivid, and "Slow-moving creatures shaped like a fruit" describes both motion and silhouette with clean precision.
Wordplay Winner: 19D is the wordplay winner, with RENTS hinging on "flat" as a dwelling rather than a shape or tire condition. The question mark makes the switch fair without spoiling it.
Quick Fill: 2D, IPAD, is the fastest confident fill because "Apple tablet" is direct, and it locks the crossings with GIMME, APART, MAGIC BULLET, and EDM.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with direct brand, abbreviation, and geography clues such as IPAD, MRI, and OSLO. Those firm anchors make the conversational entries easier to confirm through crossings.
Use punctuation as a mode switch. MAGMA turns "rock" geological, while RENTS makes "flat" a dwelling, so question marks should trigger a search for alternate senses.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The grid treated solvers fairly, balancing direct fill with playful readings. MAGIC BULLET and BANANA SLUGS supplied the memorable centerpieces.
See you at the next grid.
