Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid packs a triple "PRO" theme that rewards solvers who spot the pattern early. Three answers across the puzzle share the same three-letter prefix, turning a standard 9x9 into a wordplay scavenger hunt. 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: 36 (25 Across, 11 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Object losing its luminosity in the 2026 film 'Project Hail Mary'" A rare time-sensitive pop culture clue that tests whether you've been following recent sci-fi releases.
Gimme Clue: "N.F.L. tiebreakers, in brief." Football fans know overtime rules cold, and the abbreviation is crossword-staple short.
Theme Spotted: "Pro Tips"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Slightly cracked, as a door
Hint: Four letters. Think of a door that's not fully closed. Starts with A.
5. Sound at a 9-Down
Hint: Three letters. A dog park is full of these short, sharp barks.
8. Contacted on an intercom, say
Hint: Five letters. Someone called your name over the office PA system.
10. Lincoln or Lexus
Hint: Three letters. Both are types of vehicles.
11. PRO "tip" #1: one type of cheese in a cheesesteak
Hint: Nine letters. An Italian cheese that melts beautifully. Starts with PRO.
13. Pig out
Hint: Five letters. Eat way too much in one sitting.
14. PRO "tip" #2: gas in a grillmaster's tank
Hint: Seven letters. The fuel that powers backyard barbecues. Starts with PRO.
17. "Hoo boy ..."
Hint: Five letters. An exasperated exclamation. Starts with OH.
18. PRO "tip" #3: Campbell's soup rival
Hint: Nine letters. A brand that competes in the canned soup aisle. Starts with PRO.
22. The Green Dragon, in "The Lord of the Rings"
Hint: Three letters. A cozy establishment where hobbits drink ale.
23. "Sauer" bratwurst topping
Hint: Five letters. Fermented cabbage, German style.
24. ___ the party line
Hint: Three letters. Conform or follow the agreed position.
25. Possible heirs to the throne
Hint: Four letters. Male children of a monarch.
Down Hints
1. Smartphone icon
Hint: Three letters. A tiny program on your home screen.
2. Jam holder
Hint: Three letters. A glass container with a twist-off lid.
3. "A long, long time ___ ..."
Hint: Three letters. "A long, long time ___" means "in the past."
4. Gun, as an engine
Hint: Three letters. Floor it. Accelerate hard.
5. Treat for a squirrel
Hint: Five letters. An oak nut. Starts with A.
6. Where to warm up before playing 18 holes
Hint: Five letters. A driving range at the golf course.
7. Available to meet up
Hint: Four letters. Not busy. Open schedule.
9. Where a boxer might give you the run-around?
Hint: Seven letters. A space for dogs to exercise off-leash.
12. Short-term vehicles given by auto dealerships
Hint: Seven letters. Cars you borrow while yours is being serviced.
14. XXX flick
Hint: Five letters. Adult film. Starts with POR.
15. French wine region
Hint: Five letters. Known for its Syrah-based reds. Starts with RHO.
16. Texter's "Holy cow!"
Hint: Three letters. Shorthand for "Oh my god."
18. Bad thing to bite down on in a date
Hint: Three letters. The hard center of a stone fruit.
19. ___ Paulo, Brazil
Hint: Three letters. Brazil's largest city. Starts with SA.
20. Object losing its luminosity in the 2026 film "Project Hail Mary"
Hint: Three letters. Our nearest star. The movie follows an astronaut trying to save it.
21. N.F.L. tiebreakers, in brief
Hint: Three letters. Overtime periods. Ends with S.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Slightly cracked, as a door
Answer: AJAR
5. Sound at a 9-Down
Answer: ARF
8. Contacted on an intercom, say
Answer: PAGED
10. Lincoln or Lexus
Answer: CAR
11. PRO "tip" #1: one type of cheese in a cheesesteak
Answer: PROVOLONE
13. Pig out
Answer: GORGE
14. PRO "tip" #2: gas in a grillmaster's tank
Answer: PROPANE
17. "Hoo boy ..."
Answer: OHMAN
18. PRO "tip" #3: Campbell's soup rival
Answer: PROGRESSO
22. The Green Dragon, in "The Lord of the Rings"
Answer: INN
23. "Sauer" bratwurst topping
Answer: KRAUT
24. ___ the party line
Answer: TOE
25. Possible heirs to the throne
Answer: SONS
Down Answers
1. Smartphone icon
Answer: APP
2. Jam holder
Answer: JAR
3. "A long, long time ___ ..."
Answer: AGO
4. Gun, as an engine
Answer: REV
5. Treat for a squirrel
Answer: ACORN
6. Where to warm up before playing 18 holes
Answer: RANGE
7. Available to meet up
Answer: FREE
9. Where a boxer might give you the run-around?
Answer: DOGPARK
12. Short-term vehicles given by auto dealerships
Answer: LOANERS
14. XXX flick
Answer: PORNO
15. French wine region
Answer: RHONE
16. Texter's "Holy cow!"
Answer: OMG
18. Bad thing to bite down on in a date
Answer: PIT
19. ___ Paulo, Brazil
Answer: SAO
20. Object losing its luminosity in the 2026 film "Project Hail Mary"
Answer: SUN
21. N.F.L. tiebreakers, in brief
Answer: OTS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Object losing its luminosity in the 2026 film 'Project Hail Mary'" for SUN. This is a rare time-sensitive pop culture reference that rewards solvers who caught the sci-fi adaptation of Andy Weir's novel. The clue doubles as a mini-spoiler for the film's central crisis, making it the most memorable entry in the grid.
Wordplay Winner: "Where a boxer might give you the run-around?" for DOGPARK. The pun works on two levels: a boxer is a dog breed, and "run-around" describes the off-leash exercise dogs get. Clean misdirection that rewards lateral thinking.
Quick Fill: "Texter's 'Holy cow!'" for OMG. Three letters, universally understood, and a staple of modern crossword construction. No head-scratching required.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
The "PRO" theme is a gift once you spot it. When a puzzle labels clues with a numbering pattern (tip #1, #2, #3), the constructor is signaling a shared prefix. Look for common three-letter starts in long answers -- they're often the key to unlocking the bottom half of the grid.
9D DOGPARK intersects with 5A ARF at the first letter, creating a mini-theme within the theme. Cross-referencing clues like "Sound at a 9-Down" are a free solve if you fill the related entry first. Always chase these cross-references early -- they give you two answers for the effort of one.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The triple PRO theme and the "Project Hail Mary" SUN clue made this Thursday puzzle more rewarding than most midweek grids. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
