Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Sunday's 9x9 grid packs a pair of video-themed compound answers that reward solvers who think in reels. 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: 46 (25 Across, 21 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Partner of Salt and DJ Spinderella, in a hip-hop group." A deep 90s hip-hop pull that tests your Salt-N-Pepa knowledge.
Gimme Clue: "Animal on 'Xing' signs." If you've driven anywhere, you know this one.
Theme Spotted: "Pivoting to Video"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Chipper greeting
Hint: A cheerful four-letter hello. Starts with H.
5A. Partner of Salt and DJ Spinderella, in a hip-hop group
Hint: She's the third member of Salt-N-Pepa. Four letters, starts with P.
9A. Get ___ the ground floor
Hint: You want in on something early. Four letters, starts with I.
10A. "___ fair in love and war"
Hint: The old saying about no rules. Four letters, starts with A.
11A. Quick Instagram video of jumping over monster trucks on a motorcycle?
Hint: Two words. Think "daredevil footage" + "social media clip." 9 letters total.
13A. Broadway show backdrop
Hint: The stage design. Three letters, starts with S.
14A. Costa ___
Hint: Central American country. Four letters, starts with R.
15A. Shares online, as someone else's meme
Hint: What you do when you republish someone else's content. Seven letters.
17A. Sharp's opposite, in music
Hint: Think piano keys. Four letters, starts with F.
18A. Feel sorry about
Hint: To regret something. Three letters, starts with R.
20A. Quick YouTube video of raking leaves, apple-picking and carving pumpkins?
Hint: Two words. Think "autumn" + "brief." 9 letters total.
22A. "Coyote vs. ___" (2026 movie in which Wile E. Coyote sues a corporation)
Hint: The company Wile E. Coyote takes to court. Four letters, starts with A.
23A. It's a thought!
Hint: An opinion or concept. Four letters, starts with I.
24A. Animal on "Xing" signs
Hint: Watch for this animal crossing the road. Four letters, starts with D.
25A. Challenge for a fastidious person
Hint: A cluttered or dirty situation. Four letters, starts with M.
Down Hints
1D. Sound from an angry cat
Hint: Think feline warning. Four letters, starts with H.
2D. Program allowing for human-computer communication
Hint: The bridge between user and machine. Nine letters, starts with I.
3D. "I dunno"
Hint: A casual way to say "you tell me." Nine letters, starts with Y.
4D. Author Patchett
Hint: Bestselling author of "Bel Canto" and "The Dutch House." Three letters, starts with A.
5D. Host of the 2024 Summer Olympics
Hint: The City of Light. Five letters, starts with P.
6D. Conductor in a circuit
Hint: A terminal that carries current. Nine letters, starts with E.
7D. Sources of delight
Hint: Things that bring joy. Nine letters, starts with P.
8D. Communication system with "finger spelling," for short
Hint: A visual language used by the Deaf community. Three letters, starts with A.
12D. Easy gaits for horses
Hint: A steady, moderate pace. Five letters, starts with T.
16D. Less sun-kissed
Hint: Lighter in complexion. Five letters, starts with P.
19D. H-shaped Greek letters
Hint: The seventh letter of the Greek alphabet. Four letters, starts with E.
20D. Labubus or Dubai chocolate in 2025, e.g.
Hint: A short-lived trend. Three letters, starts with F.
21D. That guy
Hint: Referring to a male person. Three letters, starts with H.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Chipper greeting
Answer: HIYA
5A. Partner of Salt and DJ Spinderella, in a hip-hop group
Answer: PEPA
9A. Get ___ the ground floor
Answer: INON
10A. "___ fair in love and war"
Answer: ALLS
11A. Quick Instagram video of jumping over monster trucks on a motorcycle?
Answer: STUNTREEL
13A. Broadway show backdrop
Answer: SET
14A. Costa ___
Answer: RICA
15A. Shares online, as someone else's meme
Answer: REPOSTS
17A. Sharp's opposite, in music
Answer: FLAT
18A. Feel sorry about
Answer: RUE
20A. Quick YouTube video of raking leaves, apple-picking and carving pumpkins?
Answer: FALLSHORT
22A. "Coyote vs. ___" (2026 movie in which Wile E. Coyote sues a corporation)
Answer: ACME
23A. It's a thought!
Answer: IDEA
24A. Animal on "Xing" signs
Answer: DEER
25A. Challenge for a fastidious person
Answer: MESS
Down Answers
1D. Sound from an angry cat
Answer: HISS
2D. Program allowing for human-computer communication
Answer: INTERFACE
3D. "I dunno"
Answer: YOUTELLME
4D. Author Patchett
Answer: ANN
5D. Host of the 2024 Summer Olympics
Answer: PARIS
6D. Conductor in a circuit
Answer: ELECTRODE
7D. Sources of delight
Answer: PLEASURES
8D. Communication system with "finger spelling," for short
Answer: ASL
12D. Easy gaits for horses
Answer: TROTS
16D. Less sun-kissed
Answer: PALER
19D. H-shaped Greek letters
Answer: ETAS
20D. Labubus or Dubai chocolate in 2025, e.g.
Answer: FAD
21D. That guy
Answer: HIM
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Partner of Salt and DJ Spinderella, in a hip-hop group" for PEPA. This is a pure trivia gatekeeper. If you know Salt-N-Pepa's third member, the four letters drop in instantly. If you don't, you're solving it entirely from crosses. Bold cluing from the constructor.
Wordplay Winner: 11A "Quick Instagram video of jumping over monster trucks on a motorcycle?" for STUNTREEL. The clue reads like a social media caption, but the answer is a clean compound: STUNT (the action) + REEL (the format). Same construction at 20A with FALLSHORT, where the seasonal activities give you FALL and the format gives you SHORT. Two clues, one clever formula.
Quick Fill: 24A "Animal on 'Xing' signs" for DEER. Ubiquitous road sign knowledge. Four letters, zero ambiguity, instant solve.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Compound answers like STUNTREEL and FALLSHORT break apart cleanly at the midpoint. When you see a long clue that reads like a description, look for the two-word split. The left half often carries the subject, the right half the format or modifier.
Pop culture clues (PEPA, ACME, PARIS) create natural entry points. Identify them first and use their letters to unlock the trickier fill around them. 5A and 22A both feed directly into surrounding crosses.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the 90s hip-hop deep cut and the video-themed compounds, Sunday's puzzle rewarded solvers who think across platforms. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
