Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings European river crossings and historical figures to a 10x10 challenge. 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: 10x10
Total Clues: 38 (14 Across, 24 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 7A "Bridge over the 5-Down" - requires connecting two European landmarks
Gimme Clue: 10A "Long, long time" - a crossword staple
Theme Spotted: European river bridges connecting Paris and London landmarks
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Bug in a biblical plague
Hint: Swarming insect from Exodus, six letters
7A. Bridge over the 5-Down
Hint: Parisian bridge name starting with P, eight letters
9A. Water-resistant twill fabric pioneered by Burberry
Hint: Classic trench coat material, nine letters
10A. Long, long time
Hint: Geological time period, three letters
11A. Russian leader interred in Red Square
Hint: Bolshevik revolutionary, five letters
12A. Total fools
Hint: Silly people, five letters
15A. Mailroom stamp abbr.
Hint: Received abbreviation, four letters
16A. News show hosts
Hint: Television presenters, seven letters
18A. Died down
Hint: Subsided or lessened, six letters
21A. Walks along the water
Hint: Seaside strolls, ten letters
25A. ___ Bridge, over the 13-Down
Hint: London landmark bridge, five letters
26A. Turner who sang "The Best"
Hint: Rock and roll singer, four letters
27A. Flabbergasts
Hint: Impresses greatly, four letters
28A. "Keep Commerce Human" online marketplace
Hint: Handmade goods platform, four letters
Down Hints
1D. Alley-oop pass
Hint: Basketball lob, three letters
2D. Based ___ true story
Hint: Preposition in film credits, three letters
3D. ___-Alt-Del
Hint: Keyboard combination key, four letters
4D. Not blow something out of proportion, say
Hint: Downplay or minimize, ten letters
5D. River about which Monet said "I have painted it all my life, at all hours of the day"
Hint: Parisian river, five letters
6D. Garment of old Rome
Hint: Ancient clothing item, five letters
7D. Flip out
Hint: Lose composure, five letters
8D. ___ for oneself (manage independently)
Hint: Take care of yourself, four letters
9D. What Cinderella wore to the royal ball
Hint: Fairy tale dress, four letters
10D. Waze approximation: Abbr.
Hint: Estimated arrival abbreviation, three letters
13D. River about which Churchill said "It is the golden thread of our nation's history"
Hint: London river, six letters
14D. Not having any alcohol
Hint: Clear-headed, five letters
17D. Sprinted
Hint: Ran quickly, three letters
19D. Computer menu including Copy and Paste
Hint: Software editing menu, four letters
20D. Rooms with reclining chairs
Hint: Comfortable living spaces, four letters
21D. School grp. in charge of book drives
Hint: Parent-teacher organization, three letters
22D. Seat assignment info on a plane ticket
Hint: Aircraft seating row, three letters
23D. "To what do I ___ the pleasure?"
Hint: Be indebted, three letters
24D. "Hey, I just had a thought ..."
Hint: Interjection meaning "listen", three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Bug in a biblical plague
Answer: LOCUST
7A. Bridge over the 5-Down
Answer: PONTNEUF
9A. Water-resistant twill fabric pioneered by Burberry
Answer: GABARDINE
10A. Long, long time
Answer: EON
11A. Russian leader interred in Red Square
Answer: LENIN
12A. Total fools
Answer: TWITS
15A. Mailroom stamp abbr.
Answer: RECD
16A. News show hosts
Answer: ANCHORS
18A. Died down
Answer: ABATED
21A. Walks along the water
Answer: PROMENADES
25A. ___ Bridge, over the 13-Down
Answer: TOWER
26A. Turner who sang "The Best"
Answer: TINA
27A. Flabbergasts
Answer: AWES
28A. "Keep Commerce Human" online marketplace
Answer: ETSY
Down Answers
1D. Alley-oop pass
Answer: LOB
2D. Based ___ true story
Answer: ONA
3D. ___-Alt-Del
Answer: CTRL
4D. Not blow something out of proportion, say
Answer: UNDERSTATE
5D. River about which Monet said "I have painted it all my life, at all hours of the day"
Answer: SEINE
6D. Garment of old Rome
Answer: TUNIC
7D. Flip out
Answer: PANIC
8D. ___ for oneself (manage independently)
Answer: FEND
9D. What Cinderella wore to the royal ball
Answer: GOWN
10D. Waze approximation: Abbr.
Answer: ETA
13D. River about which Churchill said "It is the golden thread of our nation's history"
Answer: THAMES
14D. Not having any alcohol
Answer: SOBER
17D. Sprinted
Answer: RAN
19D. Computer menu including Copy and Paste
Answer: EDIT
20D. Rooms with reclining chairs
Answer: DENS
21D. School grp. in charge of book drives
Answer: PTA
22D. Seat assignment info on a plane ticket
Answer: ROW
23D. "To what do I ___ the pleasure?"
Answer: OWE
24D. "Hey, I just had a thought ..."
Answer: SAY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 7A "Bridge over the 5-Down" for PONTNEUF. This clue requires solvers to first identify 5D as SEINE, then recall the famous Parisian bridge that crosses it, testing both geographical knowledge and puzzle connectivity.
Wordplay Winner: 4D "Not blow something out of proportion, say" for UNDERSTATE. The clue cleverly defines the opposite of exaggeration with a conversational phrase, making solvers think about what they're not doing.
Quick Fill: 10A "Long, long time" for EON. This three-letter answer appears frequently in crosswords and provides immediate entry points for intersecting clues.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for interconnected clues like 7A and 5D. When a clue references another answer in the grid, solve the referenced clue first to unlock multiple entries simultaneously.
Recognize common crossword patterns: three-letter answers like EON, ETA, and ROW appear regularly and can be filled quickly based on crossing letters.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The European river theme with PONTNEUF and TOWER bridges provided a geographical challenge balanced by familiar crossword staples like EON and ETSY.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
