Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a compact 9x9 challenge with compass-themed wordplay and rap references.
Whether you're looking for a mid-length challenge or warming up for the full-size puzzle, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring an 8x10 or 9x11 grid with 15-20 Across and 15-20 Down clues.
It takes about 5-15 minutes to solve, making it perfect for a coffee break or commute. 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: 34 (17 Across, 17 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 14A: "Backpacker's tool ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters"
Gimme Clue: 23A: "Polly Pocket or Super Soaker"
Theme Spotted: In All Directions
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. "___ o' the morning!"
Hint: Irish expression for morning greeting
4A. Like one's voice when stuffed up, maybe
Hint: Sinus-related vocal quality
9A. "Straight Outta Compton" rap group
Hint: Pioneering West Coast hip-hop trio
10A. Sheep-related
Hint: Adjective for ovine creatures
11A. Airs on the small screen
Hint: Television broadcasts
13A. Big West Coast newspaper: Abbr.
Hint: Los Angeles Times abbreviation
14A. Backpacker's tool ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters
Hint: Navigation device showing directions
18A. Light bulb unit
Hint: Electrical power measurement
19A. Annoy
Hint: Irritate or provoke
21A. 101 course, often
Hint: Beginner-level college class
23A. Polly Pocket or Super Soaker
Hint: Plaything for children
24A. Tidy up with a broom
Hint: Clean the floor
25A. Application
Hint: Practical employment or purpose
26A. "Look, ___ the deal ..."
Hint: Phrase introducing an explanation
27A. Higher ed degree
Hint: Doctoral qualification
Down Hints
1D. Explosive inits.
Hint: Dynamite alternative
2D. Be in debt
Hint: Have outstanding payments
3D. Buddy
Hint: Friend or companion
4D. "I'm dead serious!," informally
Hint: Slang for "no lie"
5D. Image in an online profile
Hint: Digital representation
6D. Palindromic family member
Hint: Sister, spelled the same forward and backward
7D. Crumb holder
Hint: Tiny insect that carries food
8D. Victor Hugo's "___ Misérables"
Hint: French article meaning "the"
12D. One of many lining Central Park's Literary Walk
Hint: Shade tree with distinctive leaves
14D. Enthusiastic kids' request
Hint: "Can we go?" shortened
15D. Marine creature with the densest fur of any mammal (up to 1 million hairs per square inch)
Hint: Playful aquatic mammal
16D. Abs enhancer
Hint: Core exercise
17D. Sound of water moving around
Hint: Liquid sloshing noise
18D. Desire in front of a birthday cake
Hint: Birthday tradition before blowing candles
20D. Sized up, in a way
Hint: Looked at carefully
22D. Photo ___ (P.R. events)
Hint: Media opportunities abbreviation
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "___ o' the morning!"
Answer: TOP
4A. Like one's voice when stuffed up, maybe
Answer: NASAL
9A. "Straight Outta Compton" rap group
Answer: NWA
10A. Sheep-related
Answer: OVINE
11A. Airs on the small screen
Answer: TELECASTS
13A. Big West Coast newspaper: Abbr.
Answer: LAT
14A. Backpacker's tool ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters
Answer: COMPASS
18A. Light bulb unit
Answer: WATT
19A. Annoy
Answer: RILE
21A. 101 course, often
Answer: INTRO
23A. Polly Pocket or Super Soaker
Answer: TOY
24A. Tidy up with a broom
Answer: SWEEP
25A. Application
Answer: USE
26A. "Look, ___ the deal ..."
Answer: HERES
27A. Higher ed degree
Answer: PHD
Down Answers
1D. Explosive inits.
Answer: TNT
2D. Be in debt
Answer: OWE
3D. Buddy
Answer: PAL
4D. "I'm dead serious!," informally
Answer: NOCAP
5D. Image in an online profile
Answer: AVATAR
6D. Palindromic family member
Answer: SIS
7D. Crumb holder
Answer: ANT
8D. Victor Hugo's "___ Misérables"
Answer: LES
12D. One of many lining Central Park's Literary Walk
Answer: ELMTREE
14D. Enthusiastic kids' request
Answer: CANWE
15D. Marine creature with the densest fur of any mammal (up to 1 million hairs per square inch)
Answer: OTTER
16D. Abs enhancer
Answer: SITUP
17D. Sound of water moving around
Answer: SLOSH
18D. Desire in front of a birthday cake
Answer: WISH
20D. Sized up, in a way
Answer: EYED
22D. Photo ___ (P.R. events)
Answer: OPS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 14A "Backpacker's tool ... or a hint to this puzzle's circled letters" for COMPASS. The clue serves dual purpose as both a straightforward answer and a meta-hint about directional letters in the grid.
Wordplay Winner: 4D "I'm dead serious!," informally for NOCAP. Modern slang gets clever crossword treatment with a phrase that reads as "no cap" meaning genuine.
Quick Fill: 23A "Polly Pocket or Super Soaker" for TOY. Three-letter answer with obvious category makes this the easiest entry point.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the compass theme clue (14A) to identify directional letters early. Once you recognize the meta-pattern, intersecting answers become easier to confirm.
Watch for modern slang like NOCAP (4D) and classic abbreviations like LAT (13A). Friday puzzles often mix contemporary references with traditional crossword vocabulary.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The compass theme and rap reference (NWA) created an interesting Friday mix of navigation and pop culture.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
