Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid serves up pop culture nameplay, music references, and a dash of politics in a 9x9 package that rewards solvers with a sense of humor. 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: 24 (13 Across, 11 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "First reused Wordle word (2/2/2026)." Wordle deep cuts don't come much deeper.
Gimme Clue: "Heap." Straightforward definition, instant fill.
Theme Spotted: "Parting Thoughts"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. First reused Wordle word (2/2/2026)
Hint: It's a five-letter word that starts with C. Think of what you might smoke.
6. Place to get aromatherapy
Hint: Three letters. Short for a place with massages and facials.
9. Spicy Mexican marinade
Hint: Five letters, starts with A. Often used on chicken or pork.
10. Target TV viewer for "Bluey," but probably not "Blue Bloods"
Hint: A three-letter word for a young person.
11. Affectionate sign-off for chef Julia?
Hint: It's a compound word. Think Julia Child + a sweet closing.
13. Leafy green vegetable
Hint: Four letters. A superfood you'd put in a smoothie.
14. Composition with sign-offs, as seen in 11- and 17-Across?
Hint: Five letters. What you send through Gmail or Outlook.
16. Go to ___ (unlucky Monopoly square)
Hint: Four letters. You pass this square and collect $200.
17. Professional sign-off for singer Holly?
Hint: Compound word. Buddy Holly + a closing phrase.
22. Poem of praise
Hint: Three letters. Think Greek poetry, starts with O.
23. "In ___" (Nirvana's final studio album)
Hint: Five letters, starts with U. A Latin word for womb.
24. eBay action
Hint: Three letters. What you do to win an auction.
25. Much social media humor
Hint: Five letters, starts with M. Funny images shared online.
Down Hints
1. State with the most electoral votes: Abbr.
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for the Golden State.
2. Wedding vow words
Hint: Three letters. What the bride and groom say at the altar.
3. www.fbi.___
Hint: Three letters. The top-level domain for U.S. government sites.
4. Peggy's boyfriend in "Mad Men"
Hint: Three letters, starts with A. A short name.
5. Pearl Jam's "Ten" or Led Zeppelin's "IV"
Hint: Nine letters, two words. The genre of both albums.
6. Expertise
Hint: Five letters, starts with S. A special ability or talent.
7. Heap
Hint: Four letters, starts with P. A stack or mound.
8. Toss into the mix
Hint: Three letters. What you do to an ingredient in a recipe.
12. "Yes," in Japanese
Hint: Three letters, starts with H. A common Japanese word.
14. Made less strenuous
Hint: Five letters, starts with E. Past tense of a word meaning to reduce difficulty.
15. Sch. whose athletes are the Engineers, appropriately
Hint: Three letters. A famous technical university in Cambridge, MA.
16. Yoda or any of his mentees, e.g.
Hint: Four letters, starts with J. Members of an ancient order in Star Wars.
17. Float up and down
Hint: Three letters, starts with B. What a cork does on water.
18. Indigenous people of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau
Hint: Three letters, starts with U. A Native American tribe.
19. Blue, politically: Abbr.
Hint: Three-letter abbreviation for the Democratic Party.
20. Beats by ___ (headphones brand)
Hint: Three letters, starts with D. Dr. Dre's last name.
21. Slangy hellos
Hint: Three letters, starts with Y. "What's up" greetings.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. First reused Wordle word (2/2/2026)
Answer: CIGAR
6. Place to get aromatherapy
Answer: SPA
9. Spicy Mexican marinade
Answer: ADOBO
10. Target TV viewer for "Bluey," but probably not "Blue Bloods"
Answer: KID
11. Affectionate sign-off for chef Julia?
Answer: LOVECHILD
13. Leafy green vegetable
Answer: KALE
14. Composition with sign-offs, as seen in 11- and 17-Across?
Answer: EMAIL
16. Go to ___ (unlucky Monopoly square)
Answer: JAIL
17. Professional sign-off for singer Holly?
Answer: BESTBUDDY
22. Poem of praise
Answer: ODE
23. "In ___" (Nirvana's final studio album)
Answer: UTERO
24. eBay action
Answer: BID
25. Much social media humor
Answer: MEMES
Down Answers
1. State with the most electoral votes: Abbr.
Answer: CAL
2. Wedding vow words
Answer: IDO
3. www.fbi.___
Answer: GOV
4. Peggy's boyfriend in "Mad Men"
Answer: ABE
5. Pearl Jam's "Ten" or Led Zeppelin's "IV"
Answer: ROCKALBUM
6. Expertise
Answer: SKILL
7. Heap
Answer: PILE
8. Toss into the mix
Answer: ADD
12. "Yes," in Japanese
Answer: HAI
14. Made less strenuous
Answer: EASED
15. Sch. whose athletes are the Engineers, appropriately
Answer: MIT
16. Yoda or any of his mentees, e.g.
Answer: JEDI
17. Float up and down
Answer: BOB
18. Indigenous people of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau
Answer: UTE
19. Blue, politically: Abbr.
Answer: DEM
20. Beats by ___ (headphones brand)
Answer: DRE
21. Slangy hellos
Answer: YOS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "First reused Wordle word (2/2/2026)" for CIGAR. Wordle has a massive word bank, but only one word has ever been repeated as a solution. That deep-cut trivia makes this the toughest knowledge check in the grid.
Wordplay Winner: "Affectionate sign-off for chef Julia?" for LOVECHILD. The clue mashes Julia Child's name into a compound sign-off, and the result is both clever and groan-worthy. BESTBUDDY (Holly + Buddy Holly) runs a close second.
Quick Fill: "Heap" for PILE. Four letters, one meaning, zero ambiguity. The kind of clue that lets you build momentum.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Compound wordplay clues (11A, 17A) follow a pattern: take a celebrity's first or last name, combine it with a sign-off phrase, and decode. Spot the "?" in the clue and you know wordplay is coming.
Short fill like SPA, ODE, ADD, and HAI are the puzzle's scaffolding. Lock those in early to reveal crossing letters in the tougher entries.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the Wordle deep cut and the celebrity name mashups, Tuesday's puzzle rewarded solvers who know their pop culture timelines. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
