Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a 9x9 puzzle with a finance-themed wordplay pair and a K-pop headliner.
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: 38 (15 Across, 23 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Bit of hot goss about one's finances?," the slang interpretation takes a beat to land.
Gimme Clue: "Female deer," a crossword staple.
Theme Spotted: "Money Talks"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. K-pop group with an "army" ... that also went on hiatus in 2022 for army service
Hint: Seven letters, three consonants, one vowel repeated. The band that brought K-pop to stadiums.
4. Compact Volkswagen model
Hint: Five letters. Think sedan, not Beetle. Still in production.
9. "Oh, now I see the big picture!"
Hint: Three letters. Starts with A. Sound of sudden understanding.
10. Perfect
Hint: Five letters. Starts with I. Synonymous with flawless or optimal.
11. Female deer
Hint: Three letters. A musical note and a woodland animal.
12. Diacritical mark in "mañana" and "quinceañera"
Hint: Five letters. That squiggly line over the N in Spanish.
13. Bit of hot goss about one's finances?
Hint: Two words, 8 letters total. Think gossip and money, a slang term for cash.
15. Main dish
Hint: Six letters. French word for the main course.
16. Bit of hot goss about one's finances?
Hint: Seven letters. Same clue as 13A, different answer. Think "dirt" on someone's money situation.
20. ___ and carrots
Hint: Four letters. A classic veggie pairing. Starts with P.
22. Stink from a laundry basket
Hint: Four letters. Starts with O. What gym socks produce.
23. Author Austen
Hint: Four letters. Pride and Prejudice. Starts with J.
24. Chain of beauty supply stores
Hint: Four letters. Starts with U. Known for makeup and hair products.
25. Figure (out)
Hint: Four letters. Starts with S. Slang for deduce or solve.
26. Overflow (with)
Hint: Four letters. Starts with T. A river might do this after heavy rain.
Down Hints
1. Item dangling around the neck of an employee
Hint: Five letters. Shows your name and photo at the office.
2. Rosebush defense
Hint: Five letters. Sharp and painful. Starts with T.
3. Pieces of ovenware for baking cookies or roasting vegetables
Hint: Two words, 10 letters. Flat, rectangular metal pans.
4. Low-fare passenger vehicle
Hint: Six letters. A small bus or shared taxi. Starts with J.
5. Deleted from an article
Hint: Two words, 9 letters. Past tense of removing text during revision.
6. The "T" of TV
Hint: Four letters. The first half of "television."
7. Magician's "And there you have it!"
Hint: Four letters. A dramatic reveal word. Starts with T.
8. India pale ___
Hint: Three letters. A style of beer. IPA stands for this.
14. Clears the chalkboard
Hint: Six letters. What a teacher does before writing the next lesson.
17. Not doing anything
Hint: Four letters. Sitting around, bored. Starts with I.
18. Repetitive way of learning
Hint: Four letters. Memorization through repetition. Starts with R.
19. Vehicle connecting airport terminals, perhaps
Hint: Four letters. A train-like shuttle on wheels. Starts with T.
20. Toddlers' casual day care attire, for short
Hint: Three letters. What kids wear for nap time. Abbreviation.
21. Water, in French
Hint: Three letters. Three vowels. Essential in French.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. K-pop group with an "army" ... that also went on hiatus in 2022 for army service
Answer: BTS
4. Compact Volkswagen model
Answer: JETTA
9. "Oh, now I see the big picture!"
Answer: AHH
10. Perfect
Answer: IDEAL
11. Female deer
Answer: DOE
12. Diacritical mark in "mañana" and "quinceañera"
Answer: TILDE
13. Bit of hot goss about one's finances?
Answer: GREEN TEA
15. Main dish
Answer: ENTREE
16. Bit of hot goss about one's finances?
Answer: PAYDIRT
20. ___ and carrots
Answer: PEAS
22. Stink from a laundry basket
Answer: ODOR
23. Author Austen
Answer: JANE
24. Chain of beauty supply stores
Answer: ULTA
25. Figure (out)
Answer: SUSS
26. Overflow (with)
Answer: TEEM
Down Answers
1. Item dangling around the neck of an employee
Answer: BADGE
2. Rosebush defense
Answer: THORN
3. Pieces of ovenware for baking cookies or roasting vegetables
Answer: SHEET PANS
4. Low-fare passenger vehicle
Answer: JITNEY
5. Deleted from an article
Answer: EDITED OUT
6. The "T" of TV
Answer: TELE
7. Magician's "And there you have it!"
Answer: TADA
8. India pale ___
Answer: ALE
14. Clears the chalkboard
Answer: ERASES
17. Not doing anything
Answer: IDLE
18. Repetitive way of learning
Answer: ROTE
19. Vehicle connecting airport terminals, perhaps
Answer: TRAM
20. Toddlers' casual day care attire, for short
Answer: PJS
21. Water, in French
Answer: EAU
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Bit of hot goss about one's finances?" for PAYDIRT. The clue appears twice in the puzzle (also at 13A for GREEN TEA), but PAYDIRT is the cleverer of the pair. "Dirt" as gossip and "paydirt" as a valuable financial find is a layered bit of slang that rewards solvers who think beyond the literal.
Wordplay Winner: "Bit of hot goss about one's finances?" for GREEN TEA. The answer plays on "tea" as gossip slang combined with "green" for money. It's a double entendre that requires knowing modern slang and financial terminology.
Quick Fill: "Female deer" for DOE. A crossword evergreen that appears in nearly every puzzle rotation. Three letters, instant recognition.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When you see identical clue phrasing at different numbers (13A and 16A both read "Bit of hot goss about one's finances?"), the constructor is running a mini-theme. Solve one, and the other will be a different answer with a similar slang connection. Use the crossing letters to distinguish them.
Tuesday puzzles lean into pop culture and common abbreviations. BTS, ULTA, PJS, and JITNEY all reward solvers who stay current with media, retail, and transit terminology. If a clue feels unfamiliar, check the crossings before guessing.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The duplicated finance slang clues at 13A and 16A make this one worth replaying.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
