Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Wednesday's 10x11 grid packs a Norse mythology deep cut and three stacked rebus entries that reward solvers who see the bigger picture. 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: 10x11
Total Clues: 39 (19 Across, 20 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 23D - "God whose chariot is pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr" for THOR. Unless you've brushed up on your Prose Edda, this one demands a lucky cross.
Gimme Clue: 21A - "Big boss at the top, in brief" for CEO. Three letters, zero ambiguity.
Theme Spotted: "Close the Loop"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Promising words at the altar
Hint: Two words, two letters each. What do couples say? Starts with I.
4. The lady over there
Hint: Three letters. Think pointing, not naming.
7. Furry swimmer with whiskers
Hint: Five letters. River-dwelling mammal known for its playful nature.
9. Tip of a ballet shoe
Hint: Three letters. Dancers go up on these.
10. R E S / I E / O V R
Hint: Ten letters. A fried appetizer you might order at a Vietnamese restaurant.
12. Historical periods
Hint: Four letters. Think geological or fashion categories.
13. Cry at a fútbol game
Hint: Three letters. A Spanish cheer heard at stadiums worldwide.
14. Thick stack of cash
Hint: Three letters. Slang for a roll of bills.
15. Job for an attorney
Hint: Four letters. A legal matter brought before a court.
17. E X E / V C / I T U
Hint: Eight letters. Athletic accessory worn across the forehead, often used to keep sweat out of your eyes.
20. Creative person's inspiration
Hint: Four letters. A source of artistic ideas, often a person or place.
21. Big boss at the top, in brief
Hint: Three letters. The C-suite's top title.
23. Teensy little bit
Hint: Three letters. A small amount, like a smidge.
24. Food item in a hard or soft shell
Hint: Four letters. Mexican street food favorite.
25. T H E / S R / I P A
Hint: Ten letters. Plastic packaging that tightly seals products.
28. Fine and dandy
Hint: Three letters. An abbreviation for "all okay."
29. Loud
Hint: Five letters. The opposite of quiet.
30. ___ Fields (big name in cookies)
Hint: Three letters. A title of respect for a married woman.
31. Hairpiece for Halloween, perhaps
Hint: Three letters. A toupee or costume hair accessory.
Down Hints
1. "How sweet ___!"
Hint: Four letters. Completes the exclamation. Starts with I.
2. Home for a lion
Hint: Three letters. A wild animal's resting place.
3. Alternative to .com and .biz
Hint: Three letters. The top-level domain for organizations.
4. Vehicles that may end up in a chop shop
Hint: Ten letters. Two words, stolen automobiles.
5. Golfer's target
Hint: Four letters. The cup on the green.
6. Wriggler in a coral reef
Hint: Three letters. A long, snakelike fish.
7. Media mogul with a book club
Hint: Five letters. First name of the famous talk show host.
8. Legally protects, as a brand name
Hint: Ten letters. Prevents others from using your logo or slogan.
10. Use needle and thread
Hint: Three letters. What a tailor does.
11. Civil rights icon Parks
Hint: Four letters. First name of the woman who refused to give up her bus seat.
15. Many music purchases in the '90s, for short
Hint: Three letters. Shiny discs that replaced cassettes.
16. 1860s president, familiarly
Hint: Three letters. The Great Emancipator's nickname.
18. German carmaker whose logo has four rings
Hint: Four letters. Luxury automaker known for Quattro all-wheel drive.
19. Tooth problem
Hint: Five letters. Cavity-caused damage.
22. Alley-___ (basketball play)
Hint: Three letters. The pass in an alley-oop.
23. God whose chariot is pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr
Hint: Four letters. Norse god of thunder. Marvel made him famous.
24. Itty-bitty branch
Hint: Four letters. A small offshoot of a tree.
25. Uncle ___
Hint: Three letters. Personification of the U.S. government.
26. Opposite of SSE
Hint: Three letters. A compass direction.
27. Fish in a Japanese pond
Hint: Three letters. Colorful ornamental carp.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Promising words at the altar
Answer: IDO
4. The lady over there
Answer: SHE
7. Furry swimmer with whiskers
Answer: OTTER
9. Tip of a ballet shoe
Answer: TOE
10. R E S / I E / O V R
Answer: SPRINGROLL
12. Historical periods
Answer: ERAS
13. Cry at a fútbol game
Answer: OLE
14. Thick stack of cash
Answer: WAD
15. Job for an attorney
Answer: CASE
17. E X E / V C / I T U
Answer: HEADBAND
20. Creative person's inspiration
Answer: MUSE
21. Big boss at the top, in brief
Answer: CEO
23. Teensy little bit
Answer: TAD
24. Food item in a hard or soft shell
Answer: TACO
25. T H E / S R / I P A
Answer: SHRINKWRAP
28. Fine and dandy
Answer: AOK
29. Loud
Answer: NOISY
30. ___ Fields (big name in cookies)
Answer: MRS
31. Hairpiece for Halloween, perhaps
Answer: WIG
Down Answers
1. "How sweet ___!"
Answer: ITIS
2. Home for a lion
Answer: DEN
3. Alternative to .com and .biz
Answer: ORG
4. Vehicles that may end up in a chop shop
Answer: STOLENCARS
5. Golfer's target
Answer: HOLE
6. Wriggler in a coral reef
Answer: EEL
7. Media mogul with a book club
Answer: OPRAH
8. Legally protects, as a brand name
Answer: TRADEMARKS
10. Use needle and thread
Answer: SEW
11. Civil rights icon Parks
Answer: ROSA
15. Many music purchases in the '90s, for short
Answer: CDS
16. 1860s president, familiarly
Answer: ABE
18. German carmaker whose logo has four rings
Answer: AUDI
19. Tooth problem
Answer: DECAY
22. Alley-___ (basketball play)
Answer: OOP
23. God whose chariot is pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr
Answer: THOR
24. Itty-bitty branch
Answer: TWIG
25. Uncle ___
Answer: SAM
26. Opposite of SSE
Answer: NNW
27. Fish in a Japanese pond
Answer: KOI
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 23D for THOR. The clue lists the exact names of Thor's goats (Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr) straight from Norse mythology. It is the most specific, least guessable clue in the grid without crosses.
Wordplay Winner: 10A for SPRINGROLL. The stacked three-row layout (R E S / I E / O V R) forces solvers to read vertically and diagonally to piece together a ten-letter answer. It is a mini-rebus that rewards spatial thinking.
Quick Fill: 21A for CEO. "Big boss at the top, in brief" is a gimme even for casual solvers. Three letters, no tricks.
Speed Solver Tips
Today's puzzle teaches two lessons. First, when you see stacked three-row entries (10A, 17A, 25A), scan for compound words that combine the visual layout into a single term. SPRINGROLL, HEADBAND, and SHRINKWRAP all describe things that wrap or bind.
Second, 23D is a reminder that obscure mythology clues are often easier to solve from their crossing letters than from raw knowledge. Let the short Across answers like IDO, SHE, and TOE build your foundation, then use those letters to crack the deep-cut references.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Whether you breezed through the Norse mythology trivia or got stuck on the wrapped rebus entries, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
