Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Friday's grid coils around a clever visual trick with circled letters that spell out the puzzle's own structure. 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: 21 (11 Across, 10 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 5D. "Frighten off", a 9-letter answer that requires thinking beyond the obvious "scare"
Gimme Clue: 22A. "Journalist Couric", one name, one answer
Theme Spotted: "Going Down Stairs"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Arizona city named for a geological formation
Hint: Think flat-topped tablelands. The city shares its name with the rock formation.
5. Holders of squid ink
Hint: Squid store ink in these internal pouches. Four letters.
9. Mastercard rival, familiarly
Hint: The four-letter abbreviation everyone knows. Starts with A.
10. Sound of a hoof
Hint: A horse's footstep on pavement. Four letters, onomatopoeic.
11. Segment of a window
Hint: A single sheet of glass. Four letters.
12. ___ Shawkat, actress who played Maeby Fünke on "Arrested Development"
Hint: Four letters. Think of a female name that also means "related to."
13. Family member, informally
Hint: Short for sibling. Three letters.
14. Texter's "Are you for real?!"
Hint: Text speak for "seriously." Four letters, no vowels in the traditional sense.
15. Café con ___
Hint: Spanish for coffee with milk. Five letters.
17. Like a Bluetooth device that's close enough, say
Hint: The opposite of "out of range." Seven letters.
21. Alternative to J.F.K. and LaGuardia
Hint: New Jersey's major airport. Six letters.
22. Journalist Couric
Hint: Former "Today" show anchor. Five letters, starts with K.
23. "You betcha!"
Hint: Casual affirmation. Three letters, starts with Y.
Down Hints
1. Guides kept in glove boxes
Hint: Folded paper navigational aids. Four letters.
2. Spam folder accumulation
Hint: Unwanted digital messages. Five letters.
3. Martial arts instructor
Hint: Japanese term for teacher. Six letters.
4. "The Shining" prop that sold for more than $200,000 at a 2019 auction
Hint: Jack Nicholson's character used this tool. Three letters.
5. Frighten off
Hint: A longer way to say "scare away." Nine letters, two words.
6. "___ well that ends well!"
Hint: Shakespearean proverb starter. Four letters.
7. This puzzle's circled letters, e.g.
Hint: What you get when you follow the circles in order. Four letters, think spiral.
8. Neuter
Hint: Veterinary procedure for animals. Four letters.
14. Film character who says "There's a lot more to ogres than people think"
Hint: DreamWorks animated green guy. Five letters.
16. Kaitlan Collins's employer
Hint: Cable news network. Three letters.
18. Comedian Bargatze
Hint: Clean comedian from Tennessee. Four letters.
19. One end of a golf club
Hint: What you hold onto. Four letters.
20. ___ out a win (narrowly prevail)
Hint: Three letters. Think of a short verb for barely getting something.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Arizona city named for a geological formation
Answer: MESA
5. Holders of squid ink
Answer: SACS
9. Mastercard rival, familiarly
Answer: AMEX
10. Sound of a hoof
Answer: CLOP
11. Segment of a window
Answer: PANE
12. ___ Shawkat, actress who played Maeby Fünke on "Arrested Development"
Answer: ALIA
13. Family member, informally
Answer: SIS
14. Texter's "Are you for real?!"
Answer: SRSLY
15. Café con ___
Answer: LECHE
17. Like a Bluetooth device that's close enough, say
Answer: INRANGE
21. Alternative to J.F.K. and LaGuardia
Answer: NEWARK
22. Journalist Couric
Answer: KATIE
23. "You betcha!"
Answer: YEP
Down Answers
1. Guides kept in glove boxes
Answer: MAPS
2. Spam folder accumulation
Answer: EMAIL
3. Martial arts instructor
Answer: SENSEI
4. "The Shining" prop that sold for more than $200,000 at a 2019 auction
Answer: AXE
5. Frighten off
Answer: SCAREAWAY
6. "___ well that ends well!"
Answer: ALLS
7. This puzzle's circled letters, e.g.
Answer: COIL
8. Neuter
Answer: SPAY
14. Film character who says "There's a lot more to ogres than people think"
Answer: SHREK
16. Kaitlan Collins's employer
Answer: CNN
18. Comedian Bargatze
Answer: NATE
19. One end of a golf club
Answer: GRIP
20. ___ out a win (narrowly prevail)
Answer: EKE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 7D "This puzzle's circled letters, e.g." for COIL. The clue is a meta-referential nod to the grid itself. The circled letters in the puzzle literally form a coil (a spiral pattern), and the answer describes what those circles are. Self-aware cluing at its finest.
Wordplay Winner: 14A "Texter's 'Are you for real?!'" for SRSLY. The abbreviation strips vowels the way texters actually type, and it's become standard internet shorthand. Recognizable to anyone who's spent time in group chats.
Quick Fill: 22A "Journalist Couric" for KATIE. One of those names that's so well-known it barely registers as a clue. A gift for solvers looking to build momentum.
Speed Solver Tips
Watch for meta clues that describe the puzzle itself. 7D's COIL is a giveaway that circled letters are meant to be read in sequence. When you spot circled squares, trace them before filling anything else.
Short fill answers like YEP (23A), SIS (13A), and EKE (20D) are the skeleton of any Midi grid. Lock them in early to unlock crossings on longer entries like SCAREAWAY (5D) and INRANGE (17A).
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The COIL meta-clue was a reminder that sometimes the puzzle is telling you how to solve itself. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
