Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid delivers a compact 9x9 challenge with musical references and pop culture nods.
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: 25 (10 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 20A. "Instrument" hinted at by 11- and 13-Across?
Gimme Clue: 18A. Part of a basketball hoop
Theme Spotted: "Zero-Part Harmony"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Parts of the spinal column
Hint: Plural anatomical term, nine letters
10A. The "I" in the civil rights organization CHIRLA
Hint: Person seeking new country, nine letters
11A. What's "attached," in some special offers
Hint: Two-word phrase meaning no obligations, ten letters
12A. Broadway star Salonga
Hint: Three-letter first name of Filipino singer
13A. "Don't you worry!"
Hint: Two-word reassurance, seven letters
17A. ___ kwon do
Hint: Three-letter martial arts prefix
18A. Part of a basketball hoop
Hint: Three-letter mesh material
20A. "Instrument" hinted at by 11- and 13-Across?
Hint: Two-word imaginary instrument, nine letters
24A. "No lie! That really happened!"
Hint: Two-word phrase for factual account, nine letters
25A. Movie candy with a wintry name
Hint: Seven-letter candy brand with snow reference
Down Hints
1D. Actor Diesel of the "Fast & Furious" franchise
Hint: Three-letter first name
2D. Moody music genre
Hint: Three-letter emotional rock style
3D. Hotel offerings: Abbr.
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for accommodations
4D. Mr., Mrs. or Mx.
Hint: Five-letter honorific
5D. Snowy ___ (white wading bird)
Hint: Five-letter heron relative
6D. First name that might be misspelled as a body part
Hint: Five-letter male name similar to "brain"
7D. Dashed
Hint: Three-letter past tense of run
8D. Lee who directed "Brokeback Mountain"
Hint: Three-letter director's first name
9D. Aliens, for short
Hint: Three-letter extraterrestrial abbreviation
13D. State events with fried foods and carnival games
Hint: Five-letter plural for county celebrations
14D. Non-new episode
Hint: Five-letter television repeat
15D. In first place
Hint: Five-word phrase meaning leading
16D. Face With ___ of Joy (emoji)
Hint: Five-letter plural for crying expression
17D. Piece of ink
Hint: Three-letter tattoo abbreviation
19D. Expend effort
Hint: Three-letter verb meaning attempt
21D. Prefix meaning "earth"
Hint: Three-letter geographical prefix
22D. The Trojans of the N.C.A.A.
Hint: Three-letter university abbreviation
23D. "Oh, give ___ rest!"
Hint: Three-letter phrase meaning "it a"
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1A. Parts of the spinal column
Answer: VERTEBRAE
10A. The "I" in the civil rights organization CHIRLA
Answer: IMMIGRANT
11A. What's "attached," in some special offers
Answer: NOSTRINGS
12A. Broadway star Salonga
Answer: LEA
13A. "Don't you worry!"
Answer: FRETNOT
17A. ___ kwon do
Answer: TAE
18A. Part of a basketball hoop
Answer: NET
20A. "Instrument" hinted at by 11- and 13-Across?
Answer: AIRGUITAR
24A. "No lie! That really happened!"
Answer: TRUESTORY
25A. Movie candy with a wintry name
Answer: SNOCAPS
Down Answers
1D. Actor Diesel of the "Fast & Furious" franchise
Answer: VIN
2D. Moody music genre
Answer: EMO
3D. Hotel offerings: Abbr.
Answer: RMS
4D. Mr., Mrs. or Mx.
Answer: TITLE
5D. Snowy ___ (white wading bird)
Answer: EGRET
6D. First name that might be misspelled as a body part
Answer: BRIAN
7D. Dashed
Answer: RAN
8D. Lee who directed "Brokeback Mountain"
Answer: ANG
9D. Aliens, for short
Answer: ETS
13D. State events with fried foods and carnival games
Answer: FAIRS
14D. Non-new episode
Answer: RERUN
15D. In first place
Answer: ONTOP
16D. Face With ___ of Joy (emoji)
Answer: TEARS
17D. Piece of ink
Answer: TAT
19D. Expend effort
Answer: TRY
21D. Prefix meaning "earth"
Answer: GEO
22D. The Trojans of the N.C.A.A.
Answer: USC
23D. "Oh, give ___ rest!"
Answer: ITA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 20A. "Instrument" hinted at by 11- and 13-Across? for AIRGUITAR. This meta-clue requires solvers to combine NOSTRINGS and FRETNOT from earlier answers to deduce the imaginary instrument.
Wordplay Winner: 6D. First name that might be misspelled as a body part for BRIAN. The clue plays on the phonetic similarity between the name and "brain," creating a clever spelling trap.
Quick Fill: 18A. Part of a basketball hoop for NET. This three-letter answer provides immediate grid entry with minimal thought required.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for meta-clues that reference other answers - 20A directly points to 11A and 13A, creating interconnected solving paths.
Recognize common crossword abbreviations like RMS (rooms), ETS (extraterrestrials), and TAT (tattoo) - these fill short spaces efficiently.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The musical theme from AIRGUITAR to EMO created a distinctive Saturday challenge.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
