Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a literary-pop culture blend with constructor signatures hidden in clues.
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: 30 (15 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 11A. Dachshund, cutesily [Edgar]
Gimme Clue: 28A. Makeup of a '90s music collection
Theme Spotted: "Art Retrospectives"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Fake Answer
Hint: Opposite of genuine, five letters
6A. Mr. ___ ("Zootopia" character who, ironically, is quite small)
Hint: Three-letter word meaning large
9A. Cropped up
Hint: Past tense of appear, five letters
10A. Victor who wrote "Les Misérables"
Hint: French author's last name, four letters
11A. Dachshund, cutesily [Edgar]
Hint: Two-word compound describing the dog's shape, ten letters
13A. Camera type, for short
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for single-lens reflex
14A. Actor Pascal
Hint: First name of "The Mandalorian" star, five letters
15A. Formal address for a noblewoman [Salvador]
Hint: Archaic term for "my lady," six letters
18A. Make sore by rubbing
Hint: Five-letter verb for friction irritation
20A. Like many adjectives ending in -a, in Spanish: Abbr.
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for feminine
23A. Dairy option for the health-conscious [Gustav]
Hint: Two-word milk type, ten letters
26A. Word with language, shop or positivity
Hint: Four-letter word that completes common phrases
27A. Light wood used in modeling projects
Hint: Five-letter tropical wood for crafts
28A. Makeup of a '90s music collection
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for compact discs
29A. Like the vibe of a comforting place to live
Hint: Five-letter adjective meaning cozy
Down Hints
1D. Lowest singing voice
Hint: Four-letter vocal range
2D. Like medicine that's taken by mouth
Hint: Four-letter adjective for non-injected medication
3D. Fancy eaters
Hint: Nine-letter word for food connoisseurs
4D. Letters before Midway or Constitution
Hint: Three-letter ship prefix
5D. Locale for the Midway or the Constitution
Hint: Three-letter word for ocean
6D. "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" or "Dumb and Dumber"
Hint: Two-word movie genre, nine letters
7D. Frankenstein's assistant, in many adaptations of "Frankenstein" (but not the original novel!)
Hint: Four-letter name of the hunchbacked assistant
8D. ___ boots (popular '60s footwear)
Hint: Four-letter word for dance style boots
10D. Pay attention to
Hint: Four-letter verb meaning listen to
12D. Student's measure, in brief
Hint: Three-letter academic average abbreviation
16D. Questionable
Hint: Four-letter adjective meaning uncertain
17D. Voice actress Salonga in "KPop Demon Hunters"
Hint: Three-letter first name of the Filipino singer
18D. "Fast Money" network
Hint: Four-letter business news channel
19D. Cover for a car engine
Hint: Four-letter word for car bonnet
21D. "What ___ you got?"
Hint: Four-letter word meaning additionally
22D. "Y'hear?"
Hint: Four-letter casual confirmation
24D. "Gonna get real with u ...," in texting shorthand
Hint: Three-letter honesty abbreviation
25D. Chairman in Chinese history
Hint: Three-letter surname of Chinese revolutionary
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Fake Answer
Answer: BOGUS
6A. Mr. ___ ("Zootopia" character who, ironically, is quite small)
Answer: BIG
9A. Cropped up
Answer: AROSE
10A. Victor who wrote "Les Misérables"
Answer: HUGO
11A. Dachshund, cutesily [Edgar]
Answer: SAUSAGEDOG
13A. Camera type, for short
Answer: SLR
14A. Actor Pascal
Answer: PEDRO
15A. Formal address for a noblewoman [Salvador]
Answer: MILADY
18A. Make sore by rubbing
Answer: CHAFE
20A. Like many adjectives ending in -a, in Spanish: Abbr.
Answer: FEM
23A. Dairy option for the health-conscious [Gustav]
Answer: NONFATMILK
26A. Word with language, shop or positivity
Answer: BODY
27A. Light wood used in modeling projects
Answer: BALSA
28A. Makeup of a '90s music collection
Answer: CDS
29A. Like the vibe of a comforting place to live
Answer: HOMEY
Down Answers
1D. Lowest singing voice
Answer: BASS
2D. Like medicine that's taken by mouth
Answer: ORAL
3D. Fancy eaters
Answer: GOURMANDS
4D. Letters before Midway or Constitution
Answer: USS
5D. Locale for the Midway or the Constitution
Answer: SEA
6D. "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" or "Dumb and Dumber"
Answer: BUDDYFILM
7D. Frankenstein's assistant, in many adaptations of "Frankenstein" (but not the original novel!)
Answer: IGOR
8D. ___ boots (popular '60s footwear)
Answer: GOGO
10D. Pay attention to
Answer: HEED
12D. Student's measure, in brief
Answer: GPA
16D. Questionable
Answer: IFFY
17D. Voice actress Salonga in "KPop Demon Hunters"
Answer: LEA
18D. "Fast Money" network
Answer: CNBC
19D. Cover for a car engine
Answer: HOOD
21D. "What ___ you got?"
Answer: ELSE
22D. "Y'hear?"
Answer: MKAY
24D. "Gonna get real with u ...," in texting shorthand
Answer: TBH
25D. Chairman in Chinese history
Answer: MAO
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 11A. Dachshund, cutesily [Edgar] for SAUSAGEDOG. The clue combines a visual description with a constructor signature, requiring solvers to think beyond the literal animal name.
Wordplay Winner: 6A. Mr. ___ ("Zootopia" character who, ironically, is quite small) for BIG. The irony in the clue adds a layer of humor, referencing the tiny shrew character named Mr. Big.
Quick Fill: 28A. Makeup of a '90s music collection for CDS. This straightforward clue references recent nostalgia that most solvers will recognize immediately.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for constructor signatures in brackets - they're not part of the clue logic but indicate the puzzle creator. Today's puzzle features [Edgar], [Salvador], and [Gustav].
Recognize pop culture pairings like 6D's BUDDYFILM - when you see two movie titles separated by "or," think genre categories rather than specific details.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you?
The literary references from Victor Hugo to Frankenstein's assistant created a distinctive Saturday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
