Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid delivers a compact 9x9 challenge with K-pop references, gaming terminology, and clever wordplay connections.
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: 50 (27 Across, 23 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Five-in-a-row winner's shout ... or when read as four words, a literal feature of 3- and 6-Down" (15A) - requires connecting bingo terminology with computer interface elements
Gimme Clue: "Spoken" (22A) - straightforward definition
Theme Spotted: You Got It!
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. White as a sheet
Hint: Color description, four letters
5. Member of the K-pop boy band Stray Kids, e.g.
Hint: Music celebrity, four letters
9. "___ Chef" (cooking competition show)
Hint: Metallic element, four letters
10. Eat supper
Hint: Evening meal verb, four letters
11. Be inclined (to)
Hint: Have a tendency, four letters
12. Social grace
Hint: Diplomacy, four letters
13. Droop
Hint: Sink or bend, three letters
14. Stories told around a campfire
Hint: Narratives, five letters
15. Five-in-a-row winner's shout ... or when read as four words, a literal feature of 3- and 6-Down
Hint: Bingo call, five letters
17. Settle down for the night, as a chicken might
Hint: Perch, five letters
19. "Baby ___ Back" (Sir Mix-A-Lot song)
Hint: Past tense of get, three letters
22. Spoken
Hint: Verbal, four letters
23. Double-reed woodwind
Hint: Orchestral instrument, four letters
24. Insignificant
Hint: Small or trivial, four letters
25. Word that aptly shares 75% of its letters with "snooze"
Hint: Brief sleep, four letters
26. Audio downloads, informally
Hint: Podcasts, four letters
27. Consciously uncoupled pair
Hint: Former partners, four letters
Down Hints
1. Parts of cherries
Hint: Fruit seeds, four letters
2. Region
Hint: Geographical zone, four letters
3. Surfing equipment less maneuverable than its shorter cousin
Hint: Long surfboard, nine letters
4. Come to a close
Hint: Finish, three letters
5. Luggage handle dangler
Hint: Identification marker, five letters
6. Pop-up window on a computer screen
Hint: Interface element, nine letters
7. Not never, but also never again
Hint: One time, four letters
8. "Yes, we should!"
Hint: Contraction for let us, four letters
14. Explosive compound
Hint: Dynamite component, three letters
16. Bits of land in the ocean
Hint: Small islands, five letters
17. Lopsided victory, in sports lingo
Hint: Easy win, four letters
18. Cookie that introduced a Zero Sugar variety in 2026
Hint: Black and white sandwich cookie, four letters
20. Seep
Hint: Leak slowly, four letters
21. Golf accessories that can fit in your pocket
Hint: Ball supports, four letters
23. Poetic homage
Hint: Lyric poem, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. White as a sheet
Answer: PALE
5. Member of the K-pop boy band Stray Kids, e.g.
Answer: IDOL
9. "___ Chef" (cooking competition show)
Answer: IRON
10. Eat supper
Answer: DINE
11. Be inclined (to)
Answer: TEND
12. Social grace
Answer: TACT
13. Droop
Answer: SAG
14. Stories told around a campfire
Answer: TALES
15. Five-in-a-row winner's shout ... or when read as four words, a literal feature of 3- and 6-Down
Answer: BINGO
17. Settle down for the night, as a chicken might
Answer: ROOST
19. "Baby ___ Back" (Sir Mix-A-Lot song)
Answer: GOT
22. Spoken
Answer: ORAL
23. Double-reed woodwind
Answer: OBOE
24. Insignificant
Answer: MERE
25. Word that aptly shares 75% of its letters with "snooze"
Answer: DOZE
26. Audio downloads, informally
Answer: PODS
27. Consciously uncoupled pair
Answer: EXES
Down Answers
1. Parts of cherries
Answer: PITS
2. Region
Answer: AREA
3. Surfing equipment less maneuverable than its shorter cousin
Answer: LONGBOARD
4. Come to a close
Answer: END
5. Luggage handle dangler
Answer: ID TAG
6. Pop-up window on a computer screen
Answer: DIALOG BOX
7. Not never, but also never again
Answer: ONCE
8. "Yes, we should!"
Answer: LETS
14. Explosive compound
Answer: TNT
16. Bits of land in the ocean
Answer: ISLES
17. Lopsided victory, in sports lingo
Answer: ROMP
18. Cookie that introduced a Zero Sugar variety in 2026
Answer: OREO
20. Seep
Answer: OOZE
21. Golf accessories that can fit in your pocket
Answer: TEES
23. Poetic homage
Answer: ODE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Five-in-a-row winner's shout ... or when read as four words, a literal feature of 3- and 6-Down" for BINGO. This clue requires solvers to recognize both bingo terminology and computer interface elements, creating a clever multi-layered puzzle.
Wordplay Winner: "Word that aptly shares 75% of its letters with 'snooze'" for DOZE. The clue highlights the letter overlap between DOZE and SNOOZE while maintaining a thematic connection about sleep.
Quick Fill: "Spoken" for ORAL. This straightforward definition provides an easy entry point for solvers working through the compact grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for clues that reference other answers in the grid. The 15A clue explicitly mentions 3- and 6-Down, creating interconnected solving paths.
Compact 9x9 grids often feature shorter answers and tighter wordplay. Focus on three- and four-letter fill to establish a foundation before tackling longer entries.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you?
The clever connection between BINGO and computer interface elements (LONGBOARD and DIALOG BOX) created a distinctive Thursday challenge alongside K-pop references and gaming terminology. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
