Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid brings a mix of pop culture references and straightforward 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: 29 (15 Across, 14 Down)
Trickiest Clue: German-made "hippie-mobile," for short (VWBUS)
Gimme Clue: 41 − 23 − 17 = ? (ONE)
Theme Spotted: Pop culture mix - video games, TV networks, and automotive references. "Five in a row"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Hoped-for blackjack card
Hint: The highest card in blackjack, one letter
4. Hershey's Kiss wrappers
Hint: Thin metallic sheets, five letters
9. Not strict
Hint: Opposite of strict, three letters
10. Winged figure in da Vinci's "Annunciation"
Hint: Celestial messenger, five letters
11. Network that lost the Oscar broadcast rights to YouTube, starting in 2029 [1-3]
Hint: Major TV network, three letters
12. Airline with a mega-hub in Atlanta [4-5]
Hint: Major US airline, five letters
13. ___ before beauty
Hint: Common phrase about priorities, three letters
15. Openly gay
Hint: Three-letter term for being public about sexuality
16. Soothing ointment [12-13]
Hint: Healing salve, four letters
18. "Ain't gonna happen" [14-16]
Hint: Informal refusal, four letters
19. Wintertime hanger-on
Hint: Frozen spike from eaves, six letters
21. Spot for a bath
Hint: Bathroom fixture, three letters
22. Video game pioneer that created Pong
Hint: Early gaming company, five letters
26. ___ Feiner, sports handicapper/media personality [19-21]
Hint: First name of sports analyst, three letters
27. German-made "hippie-mobile," for short [22-23]
Hint: Volkswagen bus abbreviation, five letters
28. "Quit ___ yappin'!"
Hint: Informal contraction for "your," three letters
29. On the open ocean
Hint: Nautical phrase meaning far from land, five letters
Down Hints
1. ___ carte
Hint: Menu style, three letters
2. Certain red wine, informally
Hint: Cabernet abbreviation, three letters
3. King Arthur's magical sword
Hint: Legendary weapon, eight letters
4. Lessen in brightness
Hint: Dim gradually, four letters
5. 41 − 23 − 17 = ?
Hint: Simple arithmetic result, three letters
6. Big name in coolers
Hint: Brand of portable coolers, five letters
7. Abate
Hint: Let up or diminish, five letters
8. Chalkboard material
Hint: Traditional writing surface, five letters
14. Maker of the Sierra and Canyon pickup trucks
Hint: General Motors division, three letters
16. Really small, informally
Hint: Tiny, five letters
17. Less than 90°, as an angle
Hint: Sharp angle type, five letters
18. Value on a cereal box label: Abbr.
Hint: Net weight abbreviation, five letters
20. The floor is ___ (kids' game)
Hint: Hot lava in playground game, four letters
23. Sit-up muscles
Hint: Abdominal muscles, three letters
24. Regret
Hint: Feel sorrow for, three letters
25. "Patience ___ virtue"
Hint: Common saying phrase, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Hoped-for blackjack card
Answer: ACE
4. Hershey's Kiss wrappers
Answer: FOILS
9. Not strict
Answer: LAX
10. Winged figure in da Vinci's "Annunciation"
Answer: ANGEL
11. Network that lost the Oscar broadcast rights to YouTube, starting in 2029 [1-3]
Answer: ABC
12. Airline with a mega-hub in Atlanta [4-5]
Answer: DELTA
13. ___ before beauty
Answer: AGE
15. Openly gay
Answer: OUT
16. Soothing ointment [12-13]
Answer: BALM
18. "Ain't gonna happen" [14-16]
Answer: NOPE
19. Wintertime hanger-on
Answer: ICICLE
21. Spot for a bath
Answer: TUB
22. Video game pioneer that created Pong
Answer: ATARI
26. ___ Feiner, sports handicapper/media personality [19-21]
Answer: STU
27. German-made "hippie-mobile," for short [22-23]
Answer: VWBUS
28. "Quit ___ yappin'!"
Answer: YER
29. On the open ocean
Answer: ATSEA
Down Answers
1. ___ carte
Answer: ALA
2. Certain red wine, informally
Answer: CAB
3. King Arthur's magical sword
Answer: EXCALIBUR
4. Lessen in brightness
Answer: FADE
5. 41 − 23 − 17 = ?
Answer: ONE
6. Big name in coolers
Answer: IGLOO
7. Abate
Answer: LETUP
8. Chalkboard material
Answer: SLATE
14. Maker of the Sierra and Canyon pickup trucks
Answer: GMC
16. Really small, informally
Answer: BITSY
17. Less than 90°, as an angle
Answer: ACUTE
18. Value on a cereal box label: Abbr.
Answer: NETWT
20. The floor is ___ (kids' game)
Answer: LAVA
23. Sit-up muscles
Answer: ABS
24. Regret
Answer: RUE
25. "Patience ___ virtue"
Answer: ISA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Network that lost the Oscar broadcast rights to YouTube, starting in 2029" for ABC. This clue references a future media shift that hasn't happened yet, making it both timely and forward-looking.
Wordplay Winner: "The floor is ___ (kids' game)" for LAVA. This clue captures a modern playground game that became a viral internet meme, showing the puzzle's awareness of contemporary culture.
Quick Fill: "41 − 23 − 17 = ?" for ONE. Simple arithmetic makes this the easiest entry in the grid, providing a confidence boost for solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Scan for arithmetic clues first. The simple math problem (41 − 23 − 17) gives you an immediate three-letter entry that crosses multiple other answers.
Watch for bracketed numbers in clues like [1-3] or [4-5]. These indicate the answer length, helping you eliminate wrong guesses before you start writing letters.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you?
From the future media reference about ABC and YouTube to the nostalgic video game company ATARI, this puzzle balanced modern culture with classic knowledge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
