Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's 9x9 grid delivers a compact but satisfying solve with pop culture nods, wordplay, and a few groaners. 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: 25 (15 Across, 10 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Read this clue you must," a meta clue that requires knowing both Yoda's syntax and crossword terminology.
Gimme Clue: "Animal that brays," a straightforward definition that any solver will fill in instantly.
Theme Spotted: "Par-Core!"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. "Wahoo!"
Hint: A three-letter exclamation of excitement. Think celebratory cheer.
4A. Animal that brays
Hint: This four-legged farm animal is known for its loud, distinctive call.
7A. Per person
Hint: A Latin-derived term meaning "for each head." Four letters, starts with A.
9A. Grabbed a chair
Hint: Past tense of taking a seat. Three letters.
10A. Word of praise
Hint: A five-letter term of acclaim, from the Greek for "glory."
12A. ___ carte
Hint: The French phrase for ordering items individually from a menu. Three letters, starts with A.
13A. What's being checked in a fit check video
Hint: The outfit or clothing you're showing off. Seven letters.
15A. "I really don't want to hear it"
Hint: A nine-letter phrase of exasperation. Think "spare me the details."
17A. Takes off, as a plane
Hint: Verb meaning leaves the ground. Seven letters, starts with D.
18A. Fury
Hint: Intense anger, in three letters.
19A. Pho and bun bo hue
Hint: These are both types of Vietnamese noodle dishes. Five letters.
22A. It "holds one in its net of wonder forever," per Jacques Cousteau
Hint: The ocean explorer was talking about a large body of salt water. Three letters.
23A. Ye ___ Shoppe
Hint: An archaic word for "old," often found in quaint store names. Four letters.
24A. "Shame!"
Hint: A three-letter scolding sound. Think "tsk tsk."
25A. Government revenue source
Hint: What you pay to fund public services. Three letters.
Down Hints
1D. Shaggy Tibetan ox
Hint: A long-haired bovine found in the Himalayas. Three letters.
2D. Kwik-E-Mart shopkeeper on "The Simpsons"
Hint: Springfield's convenience store owner. Three letters.
3D. "Read this clue you must," for example
Hint: The way Yoda talks in "Star Wars." Nine letters.
4D. Thus
Hint: A nine-letter phrase meaning "as a consequence" or "therefore."
5D. Capital of Oregon
Hint: Not Portland. Oregon's state capital. Five letters.
6D. Like most crackers buried in a booster seat
Hint: Past their prime. Stale and hard. Five letters.
8D. "Big ___" (The Notorious B.I.G. hit song)
Hint: A 1995 single from "Ready to Die." Five letters, starts with P.
11D. Practices taekwondo
Hint: Spars, fights, or trains in martial arts. Five letters.
14D. "Star Wars" droid, familiarly
Hint: R2-D2's nickname. Five letters.
15D. Praiseful poem writer
Hint: A poet who writes odes. Five letters.
16D. "___ to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels..."
Hint: Apple's iconic 1997 ad campaign opening. Five letters.
20D. K-I-S-S-I-N-G in a tree for all to see, for short
Hint: Public display of affection, abbreviated. Three letters.
21D. Question on a form to which Austin Powers answers "Yes, please"
Hint: The "M" word. As in, "Male or Female?" Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1A. "Wahoo!"
Answer: YAY
4A. Animal that brays
Answer: ASS
7A. Per person
Answer: APOP
9A. Grabbed a chair
Answer: SAT
10A. Word of praise
Answer: KUDOS
12A. ___ carte
Answer: ALA
13A. What's being checked in a fit check video
Answer: APPAREL
15A. "I really don't want to hear it"
Answer: OHSPAREME
17A. Takes off, as a plane
Answer: DEPARTS
18A. Fury
Answer: IRE
19A. Pho and bun bo hue
Answer: SOUPS
22A. It "holds one in its net of wonder forever," per Jacques Cousteau
Answer: SEA
23A. Ye ___ Shoppe
Answer: OLDE
24A. "Shame!"
Answer: TSK
25A. Government revenue source
Answer: TAX
Down Answers
1D. Shaggy Tibetan ox
Answer: YAK
2D. Kwik-E-Mart shopkeeper on "The Simpsons"
Answer: APU
3D. "Read this clue you must," for example
Answer: YODASPEAK
4D. Thus
Answer: ASARESULT
5D. Capital of Oregon
Answer: SALEM
6D. Like most crackers buried in a booster seat
Answer: STALE
8D. "Big ___" (The Notorious B.I.G. hit song)
Answer: POPPA
11D. Practices taekwondo
Answer: SPARS
14D. "Star Wars" droid, familiarly
Answer: ARTOO
15D. Praiseful poem writer
Answer: ODIST
16D. "___ to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels..."
Answer: HERES
20D. K-I-S-S-I-N-G in a tree for all to see, for short
Answer: PDA
21D. Question on a form to which Austin Powers answers "Yes, please"
Answer: SEX
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 3D "Read this clue you must," for example, YODASPEAK. The meta-reference is what makes this work: the clue itself is written in Yoda's inverted syntax, telling you exactly what the answer describes. Clever cluing that rewards solvers who catch the joke.
Wordplay Winner: 21D "Question on a form to which Austin Powers answers 'Yes, please'", SEX. The Austin Powers callback is a perfect crossword clue: a pop culture reference that disguises a simple form-field answer. If you know the movie, you get the joke immediately.
Quick Fill: 4A "Animal that brays", ASS. Three letters, one of the most straightforward definitions in the grid. A reliable entry point for new solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Tuesday's grid leans heavily on pop culture knowledge. If you recognize "The Simpsons" (APU), "Star Wars" (YODASPEAK, ARTOO), and The Notorious B.I.G. (POPPA), you'll unlock the bottom and right quadrants fast. Start with 1D YAK and 2D APU to get the top-left corner moving.
Watch for multi-word answers. OHSPAREME and ASARESULT are the longest entries and intersect at the grid's center. Fill in the shorter crossings first, then let the phrase snap into place. And remember: if a clue is phrased in a character's voice (YODASPEAK), the answer is likely describing that voice itself.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the Yoda reference, the Austin Powers callback, and the Jacques Cousteau quote, Tuesday's puzzle rewarded solvers with broad cultural knowledge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
