Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Friday's 9x9 grid packs a punch with pop culture, wordplay, and a few head-scratchers. 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: 30 (15 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Like some fish that's not grilled or pan-seared" for OVENBAKED. Most solvers will reach for "fried" or "broiled" before landing on oven-baked.
Gimme Clue: "Singer/actress Lady ___" for GAGA. Pop culture basics don't get easier.
Theme Spotted: "April Showers Bring..."
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Shoe with a cougar in its logo
Hint: Think sportswear. The cat's in the name. Four letters.
5. Singer/actress Lady ___
Hint: Born Stefani Germanotta. Four letters, starts with G.
9. Like some fish that's not grilled or pan-seared
Hint: Think cooking method. Nine letters. Starts with O.
11. Tibetan spiritual leader
Hint: Two words. The first begins with D, the second with L.
12. Gear tooth
Hint: Short and mechanical. Three letters.
13. Commotion
Hint: A fuss. Three letters, starts with A.
15. 100%
Hint: Everything. Three letters.
18. Mideast country that celebrates the new year ("Nowruz") in March
Hint: Think Persian heritage. Four letters.
19. One who takes action
Hint: Opposite of a thinker. Four letters.
21. Longtime N.F.L. coach Andy
Hint: Kansas City Chiefs head coach. Four letters.
22. "A Man Called ___" (2022 Tom Hanks film)
Hint: Based on a Swedish novel. Four letters.
23. Actress Rae of "Insecure"
Hint: First name. Four letters, starts with I.
24. Large ice cream containers
Hint: Think gallons, not pints. Four letters.
25. Ingredient in many plant-based meats
Hint: A protein source. Three letters.
26. "Catch my drift?"
Hint: Three letters. As in "you ___?"
Down Hints
1. Pea coat?
Hint: Think about what peas grow inside. Three letters.
2. State sch. founded by Thomas Jefferson
Hint: In Charlottesville. Three letters.
3. First name shared by two Spice Girls
Hint: One was Sporty, one was Scary. Three letters.
4. Massive Amazon boa
Hint: Constrictor. Seven letters.
5. Film portrayer of Wonder Woman
Hint: Israeli actress. Two words. First name three letters, last name four.
6. Letters before a nickname
Hint: "Also known as." Three letters.
7. Opal or sapphire
Hint: Precious stone. Three letters.
8. Palindromic name found in "abracadabra"
Hint: Three letters. Reads the same forward and backward.
10. Book jacket blurb
Hint: Short for biography. Three letters.
13. "You ___ busted!"
Hint: Slang. "You are so busted." Four letters.
14. "Driving Miss ___" (1989 Best Picture winner)
Hint: Jessica Tandy played the title character. Five letters.
16. Cross-legged yoga pose
Hint: A flower. Five letters.
17. Leave alone
Hint: Don't touch. Five letters, starts with L.
18. Part of the eye that contains melanin
Hint: Determines eye color. Four letters.
20. Stood up
Hint: Past tense. Four letters, starts with R.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Shoe with a cougar in its logo
Answer: PUMA
5. Singer/actress Lady ___
Answer: GAGA
9. Like some fish that's not grilled or pan-seared
Answer: OVENBAKED
11. Tibetan spiritual leader
Answer: DALAILAMA
12. Gear tooth
Answer: COG
13. Commotion
Answer: ADO
15. 100%
Answer: ALL
18. Mideast country that celebrates the new year ("Nowruz") in March
Answer: IRAN
19. One who takes action
Answer: DOER
21. Longtime N.F.L. coach Andy
Answer: REID
22. "A Man Called ___" (2022 Tom Hanks film)
Answer: OTTO
23. Actress Rae of "Insecure"
Answer: ISSA
24. Large ice cream containers
Answer: TUBS
25. Ingredient in many plant-based meats
Answer: SOY
26. "Catch my drift?"
Answer: SEE
Down Answers
1. Pea coat?
Answer: POD
2. State sch. founded by Thomas Jefferson
Answer: UVA
3. First name shared by two Spice Girls
Answer: MEL
4. Massive Amazon boa
Answer: ANACONDA
5. Film portrayer of Wonder Woman
Answer: GALGADOT
6. Letters before a nickname
Answer: AKA
7. Opal or sapphire
Answer: GEM
8. Palindromic name found in "abracadabra"
Answer: ADA
10. Book jacket blurb
Answer: BIO
13. "You ___ busted!"
Answer: ARESO
14. "Driving Miss ___" (1989 Best Picture winner)
Answer: DAISY
16. Cross-legged yoga pose
Answer: LOTUS
17. Leave alone
Answer: LETBE
18. Part of the eye that contains melanin
Answer: IRIS
20. Stood up
Answer: ROSE
Grid Breakdown
Standout Clue: "Pea coat?" for POD. The question mark signals wordplay, and this is a clean one: a pea's coat is literally the pod it grows in. Simple, satisfying, and a Friday-worthy trick.
Wordplay Winner: "Palindromic name found in 'abracadabra'" for ADA. The palindrome clue is already a gift, and hiding it inside "abracadabra" makes for a clever mini-puzzle within the puzzle.
Quick Fill: "100%" for ALL. Three letters, no ambiguity. The kind of gimme that keeps your solve momentum going.
Speed Solver Tips
Friday puzzles lean on pop culture and wordplay. When you see a question mark in a clue, expect puns ("Pea coat?" = POD) rather than literal definitions. That's your signal to think sideways.
Long entries like OVENBAKED (9 letters) and ANACONDA (7 letters) are your grid anchors. Fill them early to unlock crossing short fills. DALAI LAMA (8 letters) is another high-value entry that opens up the center of the grid.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the "Pea coat?" wordplay and the pop culture run through Lady Gaga, Issa Rae, and Gal Gadot, this Friday puzzle rewarded solvers with good music and movie knowledge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
