Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a 9x9 challenge packed with trivia from Ivy League history to pub culture. 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: 35 (11 Across, 22 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Bottom-of-the-bottle leftover"
Gimme Clue: "Actor Stiller"
Theme Spotted: "Pieces of Work"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. South Florida law force, for short
Hint: Think Miami's finest. Seven letters, starts with M.
8. Hairstyle that might cover a bald spot
Hint: A classic comb trick. Eight letters, starts with C.
9. Budget-friendly rosé or white, perhaps
Hint: The cheapest pour on the wine list. Nine letters, starts with H.
10. Actor Stiller
Hint: Three letters. Ben's the guy.
11. Liverpool's land: Abbr.
Hint: UK country code. Three letters.
12. Miscellaneous tasks
Hint: Odd work. Seven letters.
16. Small battery
Hint: Triple-A format. Three letters.
17. Forest animal with the scientific name Ursus americanus
Hint: North America's most common bear. Nine letters, two words.
23. Speak reasonably
Hint: Talk some sense. Nine letters, two words.
24. Sorrows
Hint: Troubles and heartaches. Four letters.
25. Dear old ___
Hint: Dad, lovingly. Three letters.
Down Hints
1. Where a pitcher pitches from
Hint: Baseball's dirt hill. Five letters, starts with M.
2. Some online chats, for short
Hint: Instant messages. Three letters.
3. Pres. Lincoln
Hint: Honest Abe. Three letters.
4. Cut the grass
Hint: Lawn care task. Three letters.
5. Princeton, Dartmouth and 6-Down, etc.
Hint: Elite East Coast schools. Five letters.
6. Philadelphia school founded in 1740, familiarly
Hint: Penn's home. Four letters.
7. Bottom-of-the-bottle leftover
Hint: The last sip's sediment. Four letters.
8. Like some intramural sports teams
Hint: Mixed genders. Four letters.
9. Network for "The White Lotus" and "Euphoria"
Hint: Premium cable channel. Three letters.
13. Ten toppers, in cards
Hint: Court cards that aren't kings or queens. Five letters.
14. Acorn-dropping trees
Hint: Strong, leafy hardwoods. Four letters.
15. ___ in the woods
Hint: A beauty lost in nature. Four letters.
17. "Oh, one more thing you should know ...," in a text
Hint: Text shorthand for "by the way." Three letters.
18. Language similar to Thai
Hint: Southeast Asian tongue. Three letters.
19. Pub pint
Hint: British beer order. Three letters.
20. Where in the storyline a nonlinear movie might start
Hint: The finish line comes first. Three letters.
21. Clean ___ whistle
Hint: Pristine. Three letters.
22. The "R" in Roy G. Biv
Hint: First color of the rainbow. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. South Florida law force, for short
Answer: MIAMIPD
8. Hairstyle that might cover a bald spot
Answer: COMBOVER
9. Budget-friendly rosé or white, perhaps
Answer: HOUSEWINE
10. Actor Stiller
Answer: BEN
11. Liverpool's land: Abbr.
Answer: ENG
12. Miscellaneous tasks
Answer: ODDJOBS
16. Small battery
Answer: AAA
17. Forest animal with the scientific name Ursus americanus
Answer: BLACKBEAR
23. Speak reasonably
Answer: TALKSENSE
24. Sorrows
Answer: WOES
25. Dear old ___
Answer: DAD
Down Answers
1. Where a pitcher pitches from
Answer: MOUND
2. Some online chats, for short
Answer: IMS
3. Pres. Lincoln
Answer: ABE
4. Cut the grass
Answer: MOW
5. Princeton, Dartmouth and 6-Down, etc.
Answer: IVIES
6. Philadelphia school founded in 1740, familiarly
Answer: PENN
7. Bottom-of-the-bottle leftover
Answer: DREG
8. Like some intramural sports teams
Answer: COED
9. Network for "The White Lotus" and "Euphoria"
Answer: HBO
13. Ten toppers, in cards
Answer: JACKS
14. Acorn-dropping trees
Answer: OAKS
15. ___ in the woods
Answer: BABE
17. "Oh, one more thing you should know ...," in a text
Answer: BTW
18. Language similar to Thai
Answer: LAO
19. Pub pint
Answer: ALE
20. Where in the storyline a nonlinear movie might start
Answer: END
21. Clean ___ whistle
Answer: ASA
22. The "R" in Roy G. Biv
Answer: RED
Grid Breakdown
Standout Clue: "Bottom-of-the-bottle leftover" for DREG. It's a four-letter word that doesn't get much use in conversation, but crossword constructors love it for its vowel-friendly letter set. The clue leans into wine imagery, making a dusty word feel fresh.
Wordplay Winner: "Where in the storyline a nonlinear movie might start" for END. The constructors flip the expected answer on its head. A nonlinear film (think "Pulp Fiction" or "Memento") starts at the END, not the beginning. That's a clever misdirection that rewards solvers who think cinematically.
Quick Fill: "Actor Stiller" for BEN. Three letters, a household name, and the crossing clues lock it in fast. This is the kind of gimme that builds momentum early.
Speed Solver Tips
Today's puzzle leans hard on abbreviations and short fill. Clues like "Pres. Lincoln" (ABE), "for short" (IMS), and "Abbr." (ENG) are signaling that the answer is a shortened form. Spot those markers and you'll fill the left side of the grid in seconds.
Watch for cross-references between clues. The "Princeton, Dartmouth and 6-Down, etc." clue for IVIES directly points to 6-Down (PENN). Solving one unlocks the other. When you see a clue reference another number, prioritize that pair.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. Today's grid rewarded solvers who know their Ivy League schools and can spot abbreviation clues fast. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
