Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Monday's 9x10 grid delivers a beachcomber's treasure hunt with a theme spanning LOOSE CHANGE, BEERCANS, and GOLD. 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: 42 (28 Across, 14 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Disappointing discovery for a beachcomber, but a good discovery for feeding parking meters"
Gimme Clue: "Just do it shoemaker" (13-Across)
Theme Spotted: "Beachcombing 101"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Point that signals the transition to a new era
Hint: Think tipping point. Four letters, starts with C.
5. Ring over an angel's head
Hint: Celestial headwear. Four letters, starts with H.
9. Not suitable
Hint: The opposite of fit. Five letters, starts with U.
11. Pizazz, from the French
Hint: A certain je ne sais quoi. Four letters, starts with E.
12. With 14-Across, disappointing discovery for a beachcomber, but a good discovery for feeding parking meters
Hint: Think pocket coins. Five letters.
13. "Just do it" shoemaker
Hint: Swoosh. Four letters.
14. See 12-Across
Hint: What you get back from a vending machine. Six letters.
16. Disappointing discovery for a beachcomber, but a good discovery for a recycler
Hint: Crushed aluminum. Eight letters.
18. Took care of, as a puppy
Hint: Pet-sitting past tense. Six letters, starts with D.
19. ___ Force One
Hint: The president's plane. Three letters.
20. Courteous denial to a lady
Hint: Old-fashioned politeness. Six letters, starts with N.
25. Manipulate
Hint: Put to work. Three letters.
26. The "R" in NPR
Hint: Public broadcasting's middle initial. Five letters.
27. Risk it all on red, say
Hint: Casino gamble. Three letters.
28. Promising discovery for a beachcomber (jackpot!)
Hint: Precious metal. Four letters.
Down Hints
1. ___-de-sac
Hint: Dead end, in French. Three letters.
2. Game with Reverse and Skip cards
Hint: Wild Draw Four. Three letters.
3. Bay Area airport code
Hint: Fly into San Francisco. Three letters.
4. One born in late February, astrologically
Hint: The fish sign. Six letters.
5. Temporary tattoo dye
Hint: Natural body art. Five letters, starts with H.
6. Sync up
Hint: Get in formation. Five letters, starts with A.
7. Places to go fishing and canoeing
Hint: Inland waters. Five letters, starts with L.
8. Number of J tiles in Scrabble
Hint: A single tile. Three letters.
10. Capital of Iran
Hint: Middle Eastern capital. Six letters, starts with T.
15. One delivering lines
Hint: Stage performer. Five letters, starts with A.
16. U.S. city that hosts the Idaho Potato Drop
Hint: Idaho's capital. Five letters, starts with B.
17. White-feathered heron
Hint: Elegant wading bird. Five letters, starts with E.
18. Apply, as makeup
Hint: Put on in dabs. Four letters, starts with D.
21. Vogue or Vanity Fair, for short
Hint: Periodical, abbreviated. Three letters.
22. "Much ___ About Nothing"
Hint: Shakespearean fuss. Three letters.
23. Feel subpar
Hint: Under the weather. Three letters.
24. One regulating subreddit discussions, familiarly
Hint: Reddit enforcer. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Point that signals the transition to a new era
Answer: CUSP
5. Ring over an angel's head
Answer: HALO
9. Not suitable
Answer: UNFIT
11. Pizazz, from the French
Answer: ELAN
12. With 14-Across, disappointing discovery for a beachcomber, but a good discovery for feeding parking meters
Answer: LOOSE
13. "Just do it" shoemaker
Answer: NIKE
14. See 12-Across
Answer: CHANGE
16. Disappointing discovery for a beachcomber, but a good discovery for a recycler
Answer: BEERCANS
18. Took care of, as a puppy
Answer: DOGSAT
19. ___ Force One
Answer: AIR
20. Courteous denial to a lady
Answer: NOMAAM
25. Manipulate
Answer: USE
26. The "R" in NPR
Answer: RADIO
27. Risk it all on red, say
Answer: BET
28. Promising discovery for a beachcomber (jackpot!)
Answer: GOLD
Down Answers
1. ___-de-sac
Answer: CUL
2. Game with Reverse and Skip cards
Answer: UNO
3. Bay Area airport code
Answer: SFO
4. One born in late February, astrologically
Answer: PISCES
5. Temporary tattoo dye
Answer: HENNA
6. Sync up
Answer: ALIGN
7. Places to go fishing and canoeing
Answer: LAKES
8. Number of J tiles in Scrabble
Answer: ONE
10. Capital of Iran
Answer: TEHRAN
15. One delivering lines
Answer: ACTOR
16. U.S. city that hosts the Idaho Potato Drop
Answer: BOISE
17. White-feathered heron
Answer: EGRET
18. Apply, as makeup
Answer: DAUB
21. Vogue or Vanity Fair, for short
Answer: MAG
22. "Much ___ About Nothing"
Answer: ADO
23. Feel subpar
Answer: AIL
24. One regulating subreddit discussions, familiarly
Answer: MOD
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: The two-part 12/14-Across clue for LOOSE CHANGE rewards solvers who recognize the split. A beachcomber finds loose change underwhelming, but those same coins feed a parking meter. The construction is clean, the payoff satisfying.
Wordplay Winner: 16-Across (BEERCANS) and 28-Across (GOLD) bookend the beachcombing theme. BEERCANS is the disappointment a recycler actually wants. GOLD is the jackpot. Together they tell a miniature story of scanning the sand.
Quick Fill: 13-Across (NIKE) and 19-Across (AIR) are instant gimmes. NIKE's tagline is cultural shorthand, and AIR FORCE ONE is presidential brand recognition. Both drop in without breaking stride.
Speed Solver Tips
Look for theme clusters. Monday's puzzle tucks three beachcombing clues (12/14-Across, 16-Across, 28-Across) in the bottom half of the grid. Spotting the pattern early lets you chain answers together.
Watch for multi-part clues. When a clue says "With 14-Across," don't skip it. Solve the second part first, then work backward. LOOSE + CHANGE flows naturally once you see the connection.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The beachcombing theme gave this Monday puzzle a playful through-line that rewarded patient solvers. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
