Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of contemporary tech references and classic wordplay.
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: 32 (16 Across, 16 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Odds figure" for BOOKMAKER
Gimme Clue: "Notre ___" for DAME
Theme Spotted: "The Odd Couple"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Luminesce
Hint: Emit light without heat
5A. Butts head-on
Hint: Animal that charges
9A. Hoped-for item at end of "The Bachelor"
Hint: Reality TV finale symbol
10A. Fail to include
Hint: Leave out
11A. The Bruins of the N.C.A.A.
Hint: California university with blue and gold colors
12A. Da Vinci's "___ Lisa"
Hint: Famous painting's first name
13A. Odds figure
Hint: Sports betting professional
15A. Family, collectively
Hint: Relatives
16A. Odd-sided figure
Hint: Nine-sided polygon
20A. Something used daily by about 60% of Copenhagen's commuters, the highest rate of any major city in the world
Hint: Two-wheeled transportation
21A. Done
Hint: Finished
23A. One of 13 in the base of the Great Pyramid
Hint: Land measurement unit
24A. Notre ___
Hint: French word for "lady"
25A. Enjoy a book
Hint: Opposite of write
26A. Low-quality A.I.-generated content, familiarly
Hint: Poor quality material, slang term
Down Hints
1D. Food, informally
Hint: Insect larvae or casual term for meals
2D. Crazy
Hint: Spanish word for "mad"
3D. Capital of Norway
Hint: Four-letter Scandinavian capital
4D. Lacking courage
Hint: Weak-kneed, nine letters
5D. Jupiter and Mars, but not Earth
Hint: Mythological deities from ancient civilization
6D. Run ___ (go wild)
Hint: Four-letter word meaning "in a frenzy"
7D. One might have silver linings
Hint: Source of precious metals
8D. Figure on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... or the shape of the figure on the sidewalk
Hint: Celestial body or celebrity
14D. "Mamma ___!"
Hint: Italian word for "mine"
16D. "Hey, that's pretty good news!"
Hint: Positive exclamation
17D. Vegetable used in bhindi masala
Hint: Green pod vegetable common in Indian cuisine
18D. Shape of a rugby ball
Hint: Egg-shaped
19D. Captain in "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea"
Hint: Disney character name meaning "no one" in Latin
20D. Locale for a karaoke night or trivia night
Hint: Drinking establishment
22D. Workout unit
Hint: Single exercise repetition
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Luminesce
Answer: GLOW
5A. Butts head-on
Answer: RAMS
9A. Hoped-for item at end of "The Bachelor"
Answer: ROSE
10A. Fail to include
Answer: OMIT
11A. The Bruins of the N.C.A.A.
Answer: UCLA
12A. Da Vinci's "___ Lisa"
Answer: MONA
13A. Odds figure
Answer: BOOKMAKER
15A. Family, collectively
Answer: KIN
16A. Odd-sided figure
Answer: NONAGON
20A. Something used daily by about 60% of Copenhagen's commuters, the highest rate of any major city in the world
Answer: BIKE
21A. Done
Answer: OVER
23A. One of 13 in the base of the Great Pyramid
Answer: ACRE
24A. Notre ___
Answer: DAME
25A. Enjoy a book
Answer: READ
26A. Low-quality A.I.-generated content, familiarly
Answer: SLOP
Down Answers
1D. Food, informally
Answer: GRUB
2D. Crazy
Answer: LOCO
3D. Capital of Norway
Answer: OSLO
4D. Lacking courage
Answer: WEAKKNEED
5D. Jupiter and Mars, but not Earth
Answer: ROMAN GODS
6D. Run ___ (go wild)
Answer: AMOK
7D. One might have silver linings
Answer: MINE
8D. Figure on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... or the shape of the figure on the sidewalk
Answer: STAR
14D. "Mamma ___!"
Answer: MIA
16D. "Hey, that's pretty good news!"
Answer: NICE
17D. Vegetable used in bhindi masala
Answer: OKRA
18D. Shape of a rugby ball
Answer: OVAL
19D. Captain in "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea"
Answer: NEMO
20D. Locale for a karaoke night or trivia night
Answer: BAR
22D. Workout unit
Answer: REP
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Low-quality A.I.-generated content, familiarly" for SLOP. This clue captures contemporary tech discourse perfectly, referencing the ongoing conversation about AI content quality that remains relevant in 2026.
Wordplay Winner: "Figure on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... or the shape of the figure on the sidewalk" for STAR. The double meaning works elegantly, connecting celebrity status with the physical star shape embedded in the sidewalk.
Quick Fill: "Notre ___" for DAME. This three-letter answer provides crucial crossing letters for several longer entries, making it an essential anchor point for the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Start with the Copenhagen fact clue (20A). The specific statistic about bicycle usage points directly to BIKE, giving you a solid five-letter entry that crosses multiple down answers.
Watch for contemporary references. The SLOP clue (26A) reflects current tech terminology, while the BOOKMAKER clue (13A) requires knowledge of gambling terminology rather than mathematical odds.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of geometry (NONAGON), mythology (ROMAN GODS), and modern tech (SLOP) created a balanced Tuesday challenge.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
