Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Sunday's grid brings a 9x9 challenge packed with pop culture nods, food references, and a few curveballs. 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: 42 (27 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 10A. "Lead-in to 'red,' in the name of an apple from the Northwest"
Gimme Clue: 26A. "'___ darn tootin'!'"
Theme Spotted: "Sunrise, Sunset"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Valentine's Day dozen
Hint: A bouquet staple. Five letters, starts with R.
6. Relatives
Hint: Short word for family members. Three letters.
9. Shout impulsively, with "out"
Hint: Think of a sudden verbal spill. Five letters.
10. Lead-in to "red," in the name of an apple from the Northwest
Hint: This variety of apple has three letters and is grown in Idaho.
11. Documentary or drama
Hint: A category of film or literature. Five letters.
12. When repeated, child's term for supper
Hint: Three letters. Say it twice and you're calling the kids to the table.
13. Suddenly occurs to
Hint: What an idea does when it hits you. Seven letters.
15. Romantic towel art animal
Hint: A graceful bird often folded from hotel towels. Four letters.
17. The "E" of EGOT
Hint: A major TV award. Four letters.
18. World's first underground railway system, familiarly
Hint: London's nickname for its subway. Seven letters, starts with T.
20. Steal
Hint: Three-letter word for taking something that isn't yours.
21. Get an opinion from
Hint: Pitch an idea to someone for feedback. Five letters.
24. Pie ___ mode
Hint: French phrase for "in the style of." Three letters.
25. Uses an Elmer's product, say
Hint: What you do with school glue. Five letters.
26. "___ darn tootin'!"
Hint: Old-timey Western slang for "yes." Three letters.
27. Artist's three-legged support
Hint: A painter's tripod. Five letters.
Down Hints
1. Supreme Court justice who said "Never underestimate the power of a girl with a book," familiarly
Hint: Notorious initials. Three letters.
2. World Cup cheer
Hint: Three-letter chant heard at soccer matches.
3. Build-your-own dessert station [West]
Hint: A self-serve frozen treat bar. Nine letters.
4. Off-target
Hint: Wandering astray. Six letters.
5. Dish prepared in a slow cooker
Hint: A hearty, simmered meal. Four letters.
6. Restaurant handouts that might come with crayons [East]
Hint: Special menus for young diners. Nine letters.
7. "Catch some rays" or "catch some Z's"
Hint: A figure of speech. Five letters.
8. Mary Poppins, for one
Hint: A children's caregiver. Five letters.
14. Interstellar cloud of gas and dust
Hint: A cosmic nursery where stars are born. Six letters.
15. Animal shelter intake
Hint: A lost or abandoned pet. Five letters.
16. Alternative to skim, 1% or 2%
Hint: The richest milk option. Five letters.
19. Strong impulse
Hint: An uncontrollable desire. Four letters.
22. Honey-making insect
Hint: A buzzing producer of sweetness. Three letters.
23. French fashion monogram
Hint: A luxury brand's three-letter logo from Paris.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Valentine's Day dozen
Answer: ROSES
6. Relatives
Answer: KIN
9. Shout impulsively, with "out"
Answer: BLURT
10. Lead-in to "red," in the name of an apple from the Northwest
Answer: IDA
11. Documentary or drama
Answer: GENRE
12. When repeated, child's term for supper
Answer: DIN
13. Suddenly occurs to
Answer: DAWNSON
15. Romantic towel art animal
Answer: SWAN
17. The "E" of EGOT
Answer: EMMY
18. World's first underground railway system, familiarly
Answer: THETUBE
20. Steal
Answer: ROB
21. Get an opinion from
Answer: RUNBY
24. Pie ___ mode
Answer: ALA
25. Uses an Elmer's product, say
Answer: GLUES
26. "___ darn tootin'!"
Answer: YER
27. Artist's three-legged support
Answer: EASEL
Down Answers
1. Supreme Court justice who said "Never underestimate the power of a girl with a book," familiarly
Answer: RBG
2. World Cup cheer
Answer: OLE
3. Build-your-own dessert station [West]
Answer: SUNDAEBAR
4. Off-target
Answer: ERRANT
5. Dish prepared in a slow cooker
Answer: STEW
6. Restaurant handouts that might come with crayons [East]
Answer: KIDSMENUS
7. "Catch some rays" or "catch some Z's"
Answer: IDIOM
8. Mary Poppins, for one
Answer: NANNY
14. Interstellar cloud of gas and dust
Answer: NEBULA
15. Animal shelter intake
Answer: STRAY
16. Alternative to skim, 1% or 2%
Answer: WHOLE
19. Strong impulse
Answer: URGE
22. Honey-making insect
Answer: BEE
23. French fashion monogram
Answer: YSL
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 10A. "Lead-in to 'red,' in the name of an apple from the Northwest" for IDA. This clue demands regional apple variety knowledge. The Ida Red apple is a cross between the Jonathan and Wagener varieties, and the clue leans on the Idaho connection without spelling it out.
Wordplay Winner: 13A. "Suddenly occurs to" for DAWNSON. The clue plays on the double meaning of "dawn" as both sunrise and the moment an idea arrives. Clean misdirection that rewards lateral thinking.
Quick Fill: 26A. "'___ darn tootin'!'" for YER. Western dialect shorthand is a crossword staple, and this one scans immediately for anyone familiar with cowboy slang.
Speed Solver Tips
Today's grid rewards pattern recognition in short fill. The three-letter entries (KIN, DIN, ROB, ALA, YER, OLE, BEE) are your entry points. Lock those in first to expose the longer answers.
Watch for food and dining clusters. SUNDAEBAR (3D), KIDSMENUS (6D), STEW (5D), and ALA (24A) all share a culinary thread. When you spot one, scan for others in the same category. Themed mini-clusters accelerate solving.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The Ida Red apple clue is one to file away for future puzzles. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
