Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of pop culture throwbacks and everyday 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: 9x10
Total Clues: 30 (15 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 11A. Pop star with the 2023 #1 hit "Flowers"
Gimme Clue: 14A. Small battery size
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. "Paper or plastic?" grocery store items
Hint: What cashiers ask about at checkout
5A. Poison ivy symptom
Hint: Uncomfortable skin reaction, four letters
9A. "Excuse me ..."
Hint: Polite throat-clearing sound
10A. Sneeze sound after "ah-ah-ah"
Hint: The final part of a sneeze onomatopoeia
11A. Pop star with the 2023 #1 hit "Flowers"
Hint: Singer-actress with a famous last name
14A. Small battery size
Hint: Triple-letter battery type
15A. Make a selection
Hint: Choose between alternatives
16A. Spice mix for meat
Hint: BBQ seasoning applied before cooking
18A. Punk rock offshoot
Hint: Emotional hardcore music genre
20A. "I'm not too excited about this"
Hint: Indifferent expression, three letters
21A. Condiment drizzled over a fluffy stack
Hint: Breakfast syrup from trees
26A. Frozen beverage enjoyed with a spoon-straw
Hint: Slushy drink brand
27A. "At ___, soldier!"
Hint: Military command to relax
28A. Something to pull an all-nighter for
Hint: Academic evaluation
29A. Petty argument
Hint: Minor disagreement, four letters
Down Hints
1D. "Kapow!"
Hint: Comic book sound effect
2D. Tuna in a poke bowl
Hint: Hawaiian fish, three letters
3D. Hair goo
Hint: Styling product
4D. Defame during a political campaign
Hint: Attack an opponent's reputation
5D. Like some slippery roads
Hint: Winter driving hazard
6D. What pounding headaches do
Hint: Throb with pain
7D. Government overthrow
Hint: Sudden political takeover
8D. Virtual meeting organizer
Hint: Zoom call leader
12D. "I did good!"
Hint: Self-congratulatory exclamation
13D. Shows concern
Hint: Demonstrates empathy
16D. Uses performance-enhancing drugs, informally
Hint: Takes steroids
17D. "Well, duh!"
Hint: Obvious response, two words
18D. Give off, as light
Hint: Radiate or produce
19D. Spice akin to nutmeg
Hint: Similar aromatic spice
22D. Give permission to
Hint: Allow or permit
23D. Kendrick Lamar's genre
Hint: Hip-hop music style
24D. Chant from fans dressed in red, white and blue, perhaps
Hint: Patriotic abbreviation
25D. Furry household member
Hint: Domestic animal companion
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1A. "Paper or plastic?" grocery store items
Answer: BAGS
5A. Poison ivy symptom
Answer: ITCH
9A. "Excuse me ..."
Answer: AHEM
10A. Sneeze sound after "ah-ah-ah"
Answer: CHOO
11A. Pop star with the 2023 #1 hit "Flowers"
Answer: MILEYCYRUS
14A. Small battery size
Answer: AAA
15A. Make a selection
Answer: OPT
16A. Spice mix for meat
Answer: DRYRUB
18A. Punk rock offshoot
Answer: EMO
20A. "I'm not too excited about this"
Answer: MEH
21A. Condiment drizzled over a fluffy stack
Answer: MAPLESYRUP
26A. Frozen beverage enjoyed with a spoon-straw
Answer: ICEE
27A. "At ___, soldier!"
Answer: EASE
28A. Something to pull an all-nighter for
Answer: TEST
29A. Petty argument
Answer: SPAT
Down Answers
1D. "Kapow!"
Answer: BAM
2D. Tuna in a poke bowl
Answer: AHI
3D. Hair goo
Answer: GEL
4D. Defame during a political campaign
Answer: SMEAR
5D. Like some slippery roads
Answer: ICY
6D. What pounding headaches do
Answer: THROB
7D. Government overthrow
Answer: COUP
8D. Virtual meeting organizer
Answer: HOST
12D. "I did good!"
Answer: YAYME
13D. Shows concern
Answer: CARES
16D. Uses performance-enhancing drugs, informally
Answer: DOPES
17D. "Well, duh!"
Answer: UHYES
18D. Give off, as light
Answer: EMIT
19D. Spice akin to nutmeg
Answer: MACE
22D. Give permission to
Answer: LET
23D. Kendrick Lamar's genre
Answer: RAP
24D. Chant from fans dressed in red, white and blue, perhaps
Answer: USA
25D. Furry household member
Answer: PET
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 11A for MILEYCYRUS. The 2023 reference tests pop culture memory with a ten-letter proper name that crosses multiple shorter answers.
Wordplay Winner: 21A for MAPLESYRUP. "Condiment drizzled over a fluffy stack" cleverly hints at pancakes without mentioning them directly.
Quick Fill: 14A for AAA. Battery sizes are crossword staples that experienced solvers recognize instantly.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for proper names crossing common words. MILEYCYRUS shares letters with ICY, EMIT, and EASE, giving multiple entry points.
Recognize crosswordese patterns. AAA, AHI, GEL, and OPT appear frequently in puzzles and should become automatic fills.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you?
The mix of MILEYCYRUS nostalgia and breakfast syrup wordplay shows the range of Tuesday puzzles. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
