Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a playful academic theme with graded subjects scattered throughout.
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: 10x9
Total Clues: 34 (18 Across, 16 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 15A. Torts class: AVERAGE
Gimme Clue: 26A. Life saver
Theme Spotted: "Report Card"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. English class: FAILED
Hint: Move quickly and lightly, four letters
5A. Painting class: POOR
Hint: Move suddenly in a direction, four letters
9A. Grand Theft ___ (video game)
Hint: Vehicle-related word, four letters
10A. Protect, as with a roof
Hint: Provide shelter, five letters
11A. Stumble (over)
Hint: Lose balance, four letters
12A. Bring together
Hint: Combine into one, five letters
13A. Curvy alphabet letter
Hint: S-shaped letter, three letters
14A. Hotel room offerings
Hint: Sleeping furniture, four letters
15A. Torts class: AVERAGE
Hint: Animal appendage, four letters
17A. Slender orchestra woodwind
Hint: Double-reed instrument, four letters
19A. Kinda-sorta suffix
Hint: Approximate ending, three letters
22A. Tiny blue villager from kids' TV and movies
Hint: Cartoon character, five letters
23A. "Well, how about ___.
Hint: Demonstrative pronoun, four letters
25A. At the location where a movie is being filmed
Hint: Production site, five letters
26A. Life saver
Hint: Rescuer, four letters
27A. Computer class: GOOD
Hint: Smallest unit of data, three letters
28A. Gym class: EXCELLENT
Hint: Primate, three letters
Down Hints
1D. Lard or blubber
Hint: Adipose tissue, three letters
2D. Flashy item added to a fishhook
Hint: Fishing attractor, four letters
3D. Suffix with sinus or senior
Hint: Inflammation ending, four letters
4D. What earns you first place in an arcade game
Hint: High score indicator, four letters
5D. No longer working on
Hint: Finished with, eight letters
6D. Enthusiastic, as a fan
Hint: Keen supporter, four letters
7D. Football penalty callers
Hint: Game officials, four letters
8D. Attempt
Hint: Make an effort, three letters
10D. Havana's country
Hint: Caribbean island nation, four letters
16D. Exited the scene
Hint: Departed, four letters
17D. Luxury hotel chain aptly hidden in "room nights"
Hint: Upscale accommodation brand, four letters
18D. Arrest, as members of a drug ring
Hint: Police action, four letters
20D. ___ butter (ingredient in many body lotions)
Hint: Nut-derived cosmetic ingredient, four letters
21D. Angel's instrument
Hint: Heavenly stringed instrument, four letters
22D. Cry uncontrollably
Hint: Weep heavily, three letters
24D. Wiggler on a foot
Hint: Digit, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. English class: FAILED
Answer: FLIT
5A. Painting class: POOR
Answer: DART
9A. Grand Theft ___ (video game)
Answer: AUTO
10A. Protect, as with a roof
Answer: COVER
11A. Stumble (over)
Answer: TRIP
12A. Bring together
Answer: UNIFY
13A. Curvy alphabet letter
Answer: ESS
14A. Hotel room offerings
Answer: BEDS
15A. Torts class: AVERAGE
Answer: CLAW
17A. Slender orchestra woodwind
Answer: OBOE
19A. Kinda-sorta suffix
Answer: ISH
22A. Tiny blue villager from kids' TV and movies
Answer: SMURF
23A. "Well, how about ___.
Answer: THAT
25A. At the location where a movie is being filmed
Answer: ONSET
26A. Life saver
Answer: HERO
27A. Computer class: GOOD
Answer: BIT
28A. Gym class: EXCELLENT
Answer: APE
Down Answers
1D. Lard or blubber
Answer: FAT
2D. Flashy item added to a fishhook
Answer: LURE
3D. Suffix with sinus or senior
Answer: ITIS
4D. What earns you first place in an arcade game
Answer: TOPS
5D. No longer working on
Answer: DONEWITH
6D. Enthusiastic, as a fan
Answer: AVID
7D. Football penalty callers
Answer: REFS
8D. Attempt
Answer: TRY
10D. Havana's country
Answer: CUBA
16D. Exited the scene
Answer: LEFT
17D. Luxury hotel chain aptly hidden in "room nights"
Answer: OMNI
18D. Arrest, as members of a drug ring
Answer: BUST
20D. ___ butter (ingredient in many body lotions)
Answer: SHEA
21D. Angel's instrument
Answer: HARP
22D. Cry uncontrollably
Answer: SOB
24D. Wiggler on a foot
Answer: TOE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 15A for CLAW. The "Torts class: AVERAGE" clue requires solvers to connect "torts" (legal wrongs) with "claw" (average grade C), creating a clever double meaning that tests both legal terminology and grading systems.
Wordplay Winner: 17D for OMNI. The clue "Luxury hotel chain aptly hidden in 'room nights'" demonstrates classic hidden word construction, with the answer embedded within the clue text itself.
Quick Fill: 26A for HERO. The straightforward "Life saver" clue provides an immediate answer that most solvers can fill without hesitation, offering a reliable grid anchor.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Recognize the academic theme pattern early. Five clues follow the "___ class: GRADE" format, with answers that relate to the subject (FLIT for English, DART for Painting, CLAW for Torts, BIT for Computer, APE for Gym).
Watch for hidden word clues like 17D (OMNI in "room nights"). When a clue describes something being "hidden in" or "found within" text, scan the clue words for the answer.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The graded academic subjects theme created a cohesive Wednesday challenge that rewarded pattern recognition.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
