Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of Irish references and modern pop 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: 10x10
Total Clues: 30 (16 Across, 14 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 24A. Twitch broadcast in a Northern Ireland county?
Gimme Clue: 20A. Boiling
Theme Spotted: Irish references for St. Patrick's Day
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. One of the five basic tastes
Hint: Savory flavor, Japanese origin
6A. www.nytimes.___
Hint: Common website suffix
9A. International airport of Boston
Hint: Named after a WWII general
10A. How many times Ireland has made the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals
Hint: Single occurrence
12A. Three-pointers, in hoops lingo
Hint: Basketball shots worth three points
13A. Restaurant suggestions, for short
Hint: Abbreviation for recommendations
14A. "The Ant and the Grasshopper" storyteller
Hint: Ancient Greek fabulist
15A. Music genre for BTS
Hint: Korean popular music
16A. Romanticized symbol of the American West
Hint: Cattle herder, six letters
18A. Feel under the weather
Hint: Three-letter verb for being sick
20A. Boiling
Hint: Opposite of cold
21A. Financial performance metric, for short
Hint: Return on investment abbreviation
22A. Pet food brand
Hint: Four-letter brand owned by Mars
24A. Twitch broadcast in a Northern Ireland county?
Hint: Play on "Down" county and streaming
27A. Its notifications may be turned off on vacation
Hint: Electronic messages
28A. Notre ___ Fighting Irish
Hint: Title for a woman, four letters
29A. Ritzy
Hint: Elaborate or ornamental
30A. Whole lot
Hint: Large number or quantity
Down Hints
1D. Beauty store chain
Hint: Four-letter cosmetics retailer
2D. "Encore!"
Hint: Request for additional performance
3D. Gets on in years
Hint: Becomes older
4D. Exceptionally dominating sports performance in an Ireland county?
Hint: Mayo clinic pun
5D. Bit of creative fuel, for short
Hint: Abbreviation for inspiration
6D. Surf shop stock in an Ireland county?
Hint: Cork boards pun
7D. Hearty, easy-to-clean-up dinner dish
Hint: Single cooking vessel meal
8D. The real ___ (genuine article)
Hint: Five-letter surname
11D. Mind-reading ability, in brief
Hint: Extrasensory perception abbreviation
17D. Not a ___ (zilch)
Hint: Small amount, four letters
18D. Irish soda bread has an enticing one
Hint: Pleasant smell
19D. Des Moines resident
Hint: Iowa native
23D. "Me too!"
Hint: Agreement expression
24D. "Oh, for sure"
Hint: Slang for definitely
25D. Stealthy
Hint: Cunning or sneaky
26D. Sound from a kitty
Hint: Cat noise
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. One of the five basic tastes
Answer: UMAMI
6A. www.nytimes.___
Answer: COM
9A. International airport of Boston
Answer: LOGAN
10A. How many times Ireland has made the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals
Answer: ONCE
12A. Three-pointers, in hoops lingo
Answer: TREYS
13A. Restaurant suggestions, for short
Answer: RECS
14A. "The Ant and the Grasshopper" storyteller
Answer: AESOP
15A. Music genre for BTS
Answer: KPOP
16A. Romanticized symbol of the American West
Answer: COWBOY
18A. Feel under the weather
Answer: AIL
20A. Boiling
Answer: HOT
21A. Financial performance metric, for short
Answer: ROI
22A. Pet food brand
Answer: IAMS
24A. Twitch broadcast in a Northern Ireland county?
Answer: DOWNSTREAM
27A. Its notifications may be turned off on vacation
Answer: EMAIL
28A. Notre ___ Fighting Irish
Answer: DAME
29A. Ritzy
Answer: FANCY
30A. Whole lot
Answer: SLEW
Down Answers
1D. Beauty store chain
Answer: ULTA
2D. "Encore!"
Answer: MORE
3D. Gets on in years
Answer: AGES
4D. Exceptionally dominating sports performance in an Ireland county?
Answer: MAYOCLINIC
5D. Bit of creative fuel, for short
Answer: INSPO
6D. Surf shop stock in an Ireland county?
Answer: CORKBOARDS
7D. Hearty, easy-to-clean-up dinner dish
Answer: ONEPOTMEAL
8D. The real ___ (genuine article)
Answer: MCCOY
11D. Mind-reading ability, in brief
Answer: ESP
17D. Not a ___ (zilch)
Answer: WHIT
18D. Irish soda bread has an enticing one
Answer: AROMA
19D. Des Moines resident
Answer: IOWAN
23D. "Me too!"
Answer: SAME
24D. "Oh, for sure"
Answer: DEF
25D. Stealthy
Answer: SLY
26D. Sound from a kitty
Answer: MEW
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 24A. Twitch broadcast in a Northern Ireland county? for DOWNSTREAM. The pun combines County Down with streaming terminology.
Wordplay Winner: 4D. Exceptionally dominating sports performance in an Ireland county? for MAYOCLINIC. This clever clue merges County Mayo with medical excellence.
Quick Fill: 20A. Boiling for HOT. The simplest three-letter answer in the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for Irish county puns on St. Patrick's Day. Clues 4D, 6D, and 24A all use this pattern.
Modern abbreviations like RECS, ROI, and INSPO appear frequently in Tuesday puzzles.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The Irish theme added timely flavor to a standard Tuesday difficulty.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one. See you at the next grid.
