Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Monday's grid brings a clever "D-" theme that challenges solvers to think beyond the obvious.
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: 9x10
Total Clues: 35 (18 Across, 17 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "D-bug?"
Gimme Clue: "Did some basic math"
Theme Spotted: "De-tails"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Anderson who directed "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Hint: Think of the acclaimed filmmaker with a three-letter first name.
4A. Did some basic math
Hint: Simple arithmetic operation, five letters.
9A. "... friend ___ foe"
Three-letter Latin word meaning "or."
10A. Connect with conceptually
Hint: Five-letter word meaning to link or associate.
11A. Destination of a QR code
Hint: Three-letter web address abbreviation.
12A. Long-tailed parrot from the Americas
Hint: Colorful tropical bird, five letters.
13A. Silly spot to balance a treat on a dog
Hint: Four-letter facial feature.
15A. Pack on, as muscle
Hint: Four-letter word meaning to increase or acquire.
16A. D-bug?
Hint: Think of insects starting with "dragon."
18A. Prefix with thermal or metric
Hint: Three-letter prefix meaning "earth."
19A. D-ploy?
Hint: Nine-letter word for a distraction or tactic.
25A. What gives lemon vinaigrette its tartness
Hint: Four-letter chemical compound.
26A. Kind of list with lines drawn through it (if you're productive)
Hint: Four-letter word for tasks to complete.
27A. Nevada city near Lake Tahoe
Hint: Four-letter gambling destination.
28A. Celebrity couple
Hint: Four-letter word for a romantic pair.
29A. Adam and Eve's garden
Hint: Four-letter biblical paradise.
30A. File for a detective
Hint: Four-letter word for an investigation.
Down Hints
1D. Injure
Hint: Five-letter word meaning to harm or damage.
2D. "Does not compute," e.g.
Hint: Five-letter computer term for a mistake.
3D. Dance (or condiment) with a little spice
Hint: Five-letter Latin dance or sauce.
4D. Self-serve banking kiosk
Hint: Three-letter cash machine abbreviation.
5D. D-test?
Hint: Ten-letter medical examination word.
6D. After-dinner coffee selection, perhaps
Hint: Five-letter coffee without caffeine.
7D. Online commerce
Hint: Five-letter word for internet retail.
8D. Big name in fabric softener
Hint: Five-letter brand name.
14D. Encouraged
Hint: Seven-letter word meaning urged on.
17D. "___ the fields we go / Laughing all the way ..."
Hint: Three-letter poetic contraction for "over."
19D. Alternative to truth, in a teenager's game
Hint: Four-letter word from "truth or ___."
20D. How a drink "on the rocks" is served
Hint: Four-letter word meaning chilled with ice.
21D. Wall-climbing plant
Hint: Four-letter climbing plant.
22D. Teensy bit
Hint: Four-letter Greek letter meaning a tiny amount.
23D. Praiseful poems
Hint: Four-letter lyrical works.
24D. Alaska city where the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race concludes
Hint: Four-letter Alaskan city.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Anderson who directed "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Answer: WES
4A. Did some basic math
Answer: ADDED
9A. "... friend ___ foe"
Answer: ORA
10A. Connect with conceptually
Answer: TIETO
11A. Destination of a QR code
Answer: URL
12A. Long-tailed parrot from the Americas
Answer: MACAW
13A. Silly spot to balance a treat on a dog
Answer: NOSE
15A. Pack on, as muscle
Answer: GAIN
16A. D-bug?
Answer: DRAGONFLY
18A. Prefix with thermal or metric
Answer: GEO
19A. D-ploy?
Answer: DIVERSION
25A. What gives lemon vinaigrette its tartness
Answer: ACID
26A. Kind of list with lines drawn through it (if you're productive)
Answer: TODO
27A. Nevada city near Lake Tahoe
Answer: RENO
28A. Celebrity couple
Answer: ITEM
29A. Adam and Eve's garden
Answer: EDEN
30A. File for a detective
Answer: CASE
Down Answers
1D. Injure
Answer: WOUND
2D. "Does not compute," e.g.
Answer: ERROR
3D. Dance (or condiment) with a little spice
Answer: SALSA
4D. Self-serve banking kiosk
Answer: ATM
5D. D-test?
Answer: DIAGNOSTIC
6D. After-dinner coffee selection, perhaps
Answer: DECAF
7D. Online commerce
Answer: ETAIL
8D. Big name in fabric softener
Answer: DOWNY
14D. Encouraged
Answer: EGGEDON
17D. "___ the fields we go / Laughing all the way ..."
Answer: OER
19D. Alternative to truth, in a teenager's game
Answer: DARE
20D. How a drink "on the rocks" is served
Answer: ICED
21D. Wall-climbing plant
Answer: VINE
22D. Teensy bit
Answer: IOTA
23D. Praiseful poems
Answer: ODES
24D. Alaska city where the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race concludes
Answer: NOME
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "D-bug?" for DRAGONFLY. The clue plays on the "D-" prefix pattern while requiring solvers to think of insects rather than software issues.
Wordplay Winner: "D-ploy?" for DIVERSION. This clever clue uses military terminology ("deploy") while hinting at a nine-letter synonym for distraction.
Quick Fill: "Did some basic math" for ADDED. The straightforward arithmetic reference makes this an instant solve for most solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for pattern clues like the "D-" theme. Once you solve DRAGONFLY, look for similar constructions like DIVERSION and DIAGNOSTIC.
Short answers often intersect with longer ones. Three-letter answers like WES, URL, and GEO provide crucial crossing letters for longer entries.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's "D-" theme treat you? The pattern clues required lateral thinking beyond literal interpretations.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
