Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a heist-themed puzzle built around a LASERMAZE security system. A THIEF trying to crack a SAFE sets the stage for 32 clues across a 9x10 grid, mixing pop culture shorthand with tight wordplay.
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: 32 (15 Across, 17 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Security system depicted in this puzzle ... that may thwart a 4-Across" for LASERMAZE
Gimme Clue: "Astrological sign represented by a lion" for LEO
Theme Spotted: "Shot in the Dark"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Astrological sign represented by a lion
Hint: Think zodiac. Third sign of the year, starts with L.
4. One trying to break into a 28-Across
Hint: Someone who takes what isn't theirs. Five letters.
9. Have shawarma, for example
Hint: What you do with food. Three letters.
10. Like the questions in 20 Questions
Hint: The game only allows two kinds of answers. Four letters, ends with O.
11. School subject that draws drawers
Hint: Think paint, pencils, and sketchpads. Three letters.
12. Cinnamon bun feature
Hint: That spiral pattern has a name. Five letters.
13. Pressure cooker output
Hint: Hot vapor. Five letters.
15. Sliver
Hint: A very small amount. Three letters.
16. Drive-___ window
Hint: Fast food ordering method. Four letters.
17. Pets who share 99% of their DNA with gray wolves
Hint: Man's best friend. Four letters.
18. Bump, set, ___ (volleyball sequence)
Hint: The final move in a three-step play. Five letters.
20. Friends, to an Australian
Hint: Down Under slang for buddies. Five letters.
22. Security system depicted in this puzzle ... that may thwart a 4-Across
Hint: Think crisscrossing beams. Eight letters.
26. Mideast title
Hint: A ruler in Arabic. Four letters.
27. State confidently
Hint: To declare firmly. Four letters.
28. Object (hopefully) protected by a 22-Across
Hint: Where valuables are locked away. Four letters.
29. You can see right through it!
Hint: Camera, glasses, or microscope part. Four letters.
Down Hints
1. Opposite of most
Hint: The smallest amount. Five letters.
2. What's celebrated annually on April 22
Hint: Environmental awareness day. Five letters.
3. Animal that uses tools to break open clams
Hint: Sea creature known for using rocks. Five letters.
4. "Much appreciated!," to a texter
Hint: Text message shorthand for thanks. Four letters.
5. Chop down
Hint: To cut with an axe. Three letters.
6. "Would you mind ...?"
Hint: Asking for permission. Six letters.
7. Make mad
Hint: To infuriate. Six letters.
8. Origami steps
Hint: Paper creases. Five letters.
14. Stern in manner
Hint: Severe and strict. Seven letters.
17. Gloomy
Hint: Dreary and depressing. Six letters.
19. Apiece
Hint: Each. Three letters.
20. "___, life had just begun / But now I've gone and thrown it all away"
Hint: Queen lyric from "Bohemian Rhapsody." Four letters.
21. "Dream on!"
Hint: "In your dreams!" Four letters.
22. Celebrated guitarist Paul
Hint: Gibson guitar legend. Three letters.
23. Street crosser, for short
Hint: Abbreviation for a boulevard. Three letters.
24. Serene state
Hint: Buddhist meditation goal. Three letters.
25. Settings for medical show dramas, in brief
Hint: Hospital departments, abbreviated. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Astrological sign represented by a lion
Answer: LEO
4. One trying to break into a 28-Across
Answer: THIEF
9. Have shawarma, for example
Answer: EAT
10. Like the questions in 20 Questions
Answer: YESNO
11. School subject that draws drawers
Answer: ART
12. Cinnamon bun feature
Answer: SWIRL
13. Pressure cooker output
Answer: STEAM
15. Sliver
Answer: TAD
16. Drive-___ window
Answer: THRU
17. Pets who share 99% of their DNA with gray wolves
Answer: DOGS
18. Bump, set, ___ (volleyball sequence)
Answer: SPIKE
20. Friends, to an Australian
Answer: MATES
22. Security system depicted in this puzzle ... that may thwart a 4-Across
Answer: LASERMAZE
26. Mideast title
Answer: EMIR
27. State confidently
Answer: AVER
28. Object (hopefully) protected by a 22-Across
Answer: SAFE
29. You can see right through it!
Answer: LENS
Down Answers
1. Opposite of most
Answer: LEAST
2. What's celebrated annually on April 22
Answer: EARTH
3. Animal that uses tools to break open clams
Answer: OTTER
4. "Much appreciated!," to a texter
Answer: TYSM
5. Chop down
Answer: HEW
6. "Would you mind ...?"
Answer: ISITOK
7. Make mad
Answer: ENRAGE
8. Origami steps
Answer: FOLDS
14. Stern in manner
Answer: AUSTERE
17. Gloomy
Answer: DISMAL
19. Apiece
Answer: PER
20. "___, life had just begun / But now I've gone and thrown it all away"
Answer: MAMA
21. "Dream on!"
Answer: ASIF
22. Celebrated guitarist Paul
Answer: LES
23. Street crosser, for short
Answer: AVE
24. Serene state
Answer: ZEN
25. Settings for medical show dramas, in brief
Answer: ERS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Security system depicted in this puzzle ... that may thwart a 4-Across" for LASERMAZE. The constructors built a mini heist narrative into the grid, with THIEF at 4A, SAFE at 28A, and LASERMAZE at 22A forming a story arc across the board. That kind of thematic cohesion is rare in the Midi format.
Wordplay Winner: "You can see right through it!" for LENS. The exclamation point signals a pun, and the misdirection toward transparency as a personality trait (rather than optical property) makes the reveal satisfying.
Quick Fill: "Astrological sign represented by a lion" for LEO. Zodiac basics and a crossword staple that takes zero brainpower.
Speed Solver Tips
Look for theme clusters early. Today's heist trio (THIEF, SAFE, LASERMAZE) ties together across the middle of the grid. Spotting one unlocks the others.
Watch for abbreviations and text-speak. TYSM, ASIF, ISITOK, and ERS all show up in the Down column. Modern crosswords lean into internet slang, so keep that dictionary handy.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? That LASERMAZE-SAFE-THIEF trifecta was the highlight, but the "Bohemian Rhapsody" lyric pull for MAMA is a solid runner-up. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
