Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid delivers a feline-themed punchline hidden in the down entries. A 9x11 layout with 36 total clues, this puzzle rewards solvers who spot the connection between a "falling feline" and the cat that lands on its feet.
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: 9x11
Total Clues: 36 (18 Across, 18 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Potato-filled pastry in a Jewish deli" A niche food word that stumps even experienced solvers.
Gimme Clue: "Cow's sound" Three letters, zero ambiguity.
Theme Spotted: "Falling Feline"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Pepsi-___
Hint: The cola rival to Coke. Four letters, starts with C.
5. Something extra for a waiter
Hint: What you leave after a good meal. Three letters.
8. Bury in the ground, as seeds
Hint: What gardeners do in spring. Five letters, starts with P.
10. Gorilla, e.g.
Hint: A primate. Three letters.
11. Avis or Alamo offering
Hint: What you pick up at the airport before a road trip. Nine letters, two words.
13. They're rolled in craps games
Hint: Gambling cubes. Four letters.
14. Hypothetical scenarios
Hint: "What ___?" Three letters.
16. Potato-filled pastry in a Jewish deli
Hint: A fried or baked dough pocket. Five letters, starts with K.
20. Cow's sound
Hint: This one's a gimme. Three letters.
21. Brewed beverage
Hint: Hot drink, often served with milk and sugar. Three letters.
22. "... but then again, I could be wrong!"
Hint: A way to hedge your bets. Five letters, starts with O.
25. Pig's pen
Hint: Where farm pigs live. Three letters.
26. Street urchin, like Oliver Twist in "Oliver Twist"
Hint: A homeless child. Four letters, starts with W.
28. Wrinkle-fighting skin care product
Hint: Anti-aging cream. Nine letters, two words.
33. Nation between Can. and Mex.
Hint: Think of the country's abbreviation. Three letters.
34. Link with
Hint: Connect one thing to another. Five letters, starts with T.
35. Pecan or pistachio
Hint: A crunchy snack. Three letters.
36. Hearty meal in a pot
Hint: Slow-cooked soup. Four letters.
Down Hints
1. E.M.T. skill practiced on manikins
Hint: Emergency chest compression technique. Three letters.
2. Bullfighting cheer
Hint: Spanish exclamation. Three letters.
3. With 17-Down, what this puzzle's "falling feline" does
Hint: Think of a cat's famous survival trick. Seven letters, starts with L.
4. Prefix with social or climactic
Hint: Means "against." Four letters.
5. Tic-___-toe
Hint: The middle word in the children's game. Three letters.
6. Hoppy brew choice, for short
Hint: A type of beer, three letters.
7. The "p" of m.p.h.
Hint: Miles ___ hour. Three letters.
9. Bulletin board fastener
Hint: Pushpin alternative. Four letters.
12. Male name hidden in "valentine"
Hint: Look inside the word. Three letters, starts with L.
14. "If you ask me ...," in texts
Hint: A texting abbreviation. Three letters.
15. ___ all practical purposes
Hint: "Just about." Three letters.
17. See 3-Down
Hint: Part of the cat's landing mechanism. Seven letters, two words.
18. Part of a volleyball match
Hint: A game within the match. Three letters.
19. Food for a horse
Hint: Barnyard feed. Three letters.
23. Have a debt
Hint: Opposite of being paid off. Three letters.
24. Diplomatic use of words
Hint: Saying the right thing. Four letters.
27. Eye part around the pupil
Hint: The colored part of your eye. Four letters.
28. "We didn't realize we were making memories..."
Hint: Opposite of serious. Three letters.
29. Tempe sch. that's 33-Across spelled backwards
Hint: Arizona State University's abbreviation. Three letters.
30. "Falling star" of this puzzle
Hint: The animal at the center of the theme. Three letters.
31. Devoured
Hint: Ate quickly. Three letters.
32. Trim the lawn
Hint: Use a garden tool. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Pepsi-___
Answer: COLA
5. Something extra for a waiter
Answer: TIP
8. Bury in the ground, as seeds
Answer: PLANT
10. Gorilla, e.g.
Answer: APE
11. Avis or Alamo offering
Answer: RENTALCAR
13. They're rolled in craps games
Answer: DICE
14. Hypothetical scenarios
Answer: IFS
16. Potato-filled pastry in a Jewish deli
Answer: KNISH
20. Cow's sound
Answer: MOO
21. Brewed beverage
Answer: TEA
22. "... but then again, I could be wrong!"
Answer: ORNOT
25. Pig's pen
Answer: STY
26. Street urchin, like Oliver Twist in "Oliver Twist"
Answer: WAIF
28. Wrinkle-fighting skin care product
Answer: FACECREAM
33. Nation between Can. and Mex.
Answer: USA
34. Link with
Answer: TIETO
35. Pecan or pistachio
Answer: NUT
36. Hearty meal in a pot
Answer: STEW
Down Answers
1. E.M.T. skill practiced on manikins
Answer: CPR
2. Bullfighting cheer
Answer: OLE
3. With 17-Down, what this puzzle's "falling feline" does
Answer: LANDSON
4. Prefix with social or climactic
Answer: ANTI
5. Tic-___-toe
Answer: TAC
6. Hoppy brew choice, for short
Answer: IPA
7. The "p" of m.p.h.
Answer: PER
9. Bulletin board fastener
Answer: TACK
12. Male name hidden in "valentine"
Answer: LEN
14. "If you ask me ...," in texts
Answer: IMO
15. ___ all practical purposes
Answer: FOR
17. See 3-Down
Answer: ITSFEET
18. Part of a volleyball match
Answer: SET
19. Food for a horse
Answer: HAY
23. Have a debt
Answer: OWE
24. Diplomatic use of words
Answer: TACT
27. Eye part around the pupil
Answer: IRIS
28. "We didn't realize we were making memories..."
Answer: FUN
29. Tempe sch. that's 33-Across spelled backwards
Answer: ASU
30. "Falling star" of this puzzle
Answer: CAT
31. Devoured
Answer: ATE
32. Trim the lawn
Answer: MOW
Grid Breakdown
Standout Clue: "Potato-filled pastry in a Jewish deli" for KNISH. This five-letter answer is a crossword staple that tests your deli menu knowledge. If you've never ordered a knish, you're probably staring at the crossing letters for help.
Wordplay Winner: 29-Down "Tempe sch. that's 33-Across spelled backwards" for ASU. The clue tells you exactly how to solve it: flip USA (33A) backward. Clean, fair, and satisfying.
Quick Fill: 30-Down "Falling star of this puzzle" for CAT. Three letters, directly tied to the theme, and obvious once you see the LANDSON ITSFEET connection.
Speed Solver Tips
Watch for paired clues. 3-Down and 17-Down are a linked entry, and the clue for 3-Down explicitly points you to 17-Down. Solving one gives you the other for free.
Spot the backward trick. 29-Down spells 33-Across (USA) in reverse, giving you ASU. When you see a clue referencing another number in the grid, it's almost always worth your time to check it immediately.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The KNISH and WAIF fills separate casual solvers from the regulars. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
