Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Friday's grid brings a gentle landscape of wordplay anchored by the happy little trees of Bob Ross. 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: 5D. French desserts that look like tiny colorful hamburgers, easy to confuse with macaroons, a common crossword trap.
Gimme Clue: 25A. East Lansing sch, Michigan State's initials are a crossword staple.
Theme Spotted: "Happy Little Trees"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Shower alternative
Hint: A soak in the tub. Four letters, starts with B.
5. Spa treatment that might feature nail art, for short
Hint: Short for manicure. Four letters.
9. ___ sabzi (potato curry)
Hint: Hindi word for potato. Four letters, starts with A.
10. English river that means "river" in Celtic languages
Hint: Also a name. Four letters, starts with A.
11. Screech
Hint: A loud, wailing cry. Four letters, starts with Y.
12. Champagne bottle projectile
Hint: What pops out of the bottle. Four letters, starts with C.
13. Ships off
Hint: Dispatches or sends away. Eight letters, starts with S.
15. It's about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen
Hint: What we breathe. Three letters.
16. Longtime host of "The Joy of Painting" whose work is the basis of this puzzle's theme
Hint: Happy little trees. First name Bob, last name seven letters.
20. Two-sided
Hint: Double. Four letters, starts with D.
21. Not just a want
Hint: A requirement. Four letters, starts with N.
23. Pain that may be helped by stretching
Hint: A dull, persistent pain. Four letters, starts with A.
24. Stitching line
Hint: Where fabric pieces join. Four letters, starts with S.
25. East Lansing sch.
Hint: Michigan State University's initials. Three letters.
26. "u would be doing me a big favor"
Hint: Text speak for "please." Three letters.
Down Hints
1. Howls at the moon
Hint: Wolves do this. Four letters, starts with B.
2. Soothing gel ingredient
Hint: Succulent plant used for burns. Four letters, starts with A.
3. Village relative
Hint: Bigger than a village, smaller than a city. Four letters, starts with T.
4. Fitting comfortably in one's hands
Hint: Easy to grip. Eight letters, starts with H.
5. French desserts that look like tiny colorful hamburgers
Hint: Not macaroons, these are the Parisian ones. Eight letters, starts with M.
6. Promise
Hint: Declare or pledge. Four letters, starts with A.
7. Ephron who directed "You've Got Mail"
Hint: First name of the famous writer-director. Four letters, starts with N.
8. Like a leaky pen
Hint: Stained with ink. Four letters, starts with I.
14. "For once, maybe someone will call me '___' without adding 'You're making a scene'": Homer Simpson
Hint: A respectful title. Three letters.
16. N.F.L. athletes with a pirate flag logo, for short
Hint: Tampa Bay's team. Four letters, starts with B.
17. Most populous Hawaiian island
Hint: Home to Honolulu. Four letters, starts with O.
18. Flow like sap
Hint: Ooze or trickle. Four letters, starts with S.
19. Animal often confused with a sea lion
Hint: Claps at the zoo. Four letters, starts with S.
20. Water stopper
Hint: A barrier across a river. Three letters, starts with D.
22. Slack convos
Hint: Direct messages, abbreviated. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Shower alternative
Answer: BATH
5. Spa treatment that might feature nail art, for short
Answer: MANI
9. ___ sabzi (potato curry)
Answer: ALOO
10. English river that means "river" in Celtic languages
Answer: AVON
11. Screech
Answer: YOWL
12. Champagne bottle projectile
Answer: CORK
13. Ships off
Answer: SENDSAWAY
15. It's about 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen
Answer: AIR
16. Longtime host of "The Joy of Painting" whose work is the basis of this puzzle's theme
Answer: BOBROSS
20. Two-sided
Answer: DUAL
21. Not just a want
Answer: NEED
23. Pain that may be helped by stretching
Answer: ACHE
24. Stitching line
Answer: SEAM
25. East Lansing sch.
Answer: MSU
26. "u would be doing me a big favor"
Answer: PLS
Down Answers
1. Howls at the moon
Answer: BAYS
2. Soothing gel ingredient
Answer: ALOE
3. Village relative
Answer: TOWN
4. Fitting comfortably in one's hands
Answer: HOLDABLE
5. French desserts that look like tiny colorful hamburgers
Answer: MACARONS
6. Promise
Answer: AVOW
7. Ephron who directed "You've Got Mail"
Answer: NORA
8. Like a leaky pen
Answer: INKY
14. "For once, maybe someone will call me '___' without adding 'You're making a scene'": Homer Simpson
Answer: SIR
16. N.F.L. athletes with a pirate flag logo, for short
Answer: BUCS
17. Most populous Hawaiian island
Answer: OAHU
18. Flow like sap
Answer: SEEP
19. Animal often confused with a sea lion
Answer: SEAL
20. Water stopper
Answer: DAM
22. Slack convos
Answer: DMS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 5D. French desserts that look like tiny colorful hamburgers (MACARONS) for MACARONS. The clue walks a fine line between accuracy and misdirection, macarons and macaroons are different cookies entirely, and this clue leans into the visual comparison to keep solvers honest.
Wordplay Winner: 14D. "For once, maybe someone will call me '___' without adding 'You're making a scene'": Homer Simpson (SIR). The full quote from a classic Simpsons episode rewards TV fans while the three-letter answer keeps the fill smooth.
Quick Fill: 25A. East Lansing sch. (MSU). College abbreviations are reliable gimmes in crosswords, and MSU appears regularly enough that regular solvers won't break stride.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for food clues that test spelling. 5D (MACARONS) is a classic trap, one "o" changes the entire answer. If the clue mentions France or Paris, lean toward the French spelling.
Bob Ross at 16A is the theme anchor, fill in BOBROSS early and the surrounding answers fall into place. The grid's landscape vocabulary (AIR, TOWN, ALOE, OAHU, SEAL) all connect back to the natural world of his paintings, making them easier to spot once the theme clicks.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the Bob Ross tribute at 16A and the Homer Simpson deep cut at 14D, Friday's puzzle balanced pop culture with solid crossword fundamentals. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
