Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Wednesday's 9x9 grid packs a surprising mix of political shorthand, food words, and clever meta-clues into a tight solve. 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 (17 Across, 8 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 3D. "Headline that starts '10 Things You Won't Believe About ...,' e.g."
Gimme Clue: 5A. "LeBron's league"
Theme Spotted: "Now You Know!"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Detroit's state: Abbr.
Hint: The Great Lakes State, in postal code form.
5. LeBron's league
Hint: The association where basketball's biggest stars play.
8. "Tiny tots with their eyes all ___"
Hint: A Christmas carol describes children's faces as shining with this.
10. URL ending
Hint: The three-letter suffix for nonprofit websites.
11. Knot without a struggle?
Hint: A necktie you don't need to tie. Three words, no spaces.
13. Frequent political ally of Bernie Sanders, familiarly
Hint: New York's progressive congresswoman, known by her initials.
14. They smell
Hint: Facial features that detect odors.
15. Concave cookware
Hint: A round-bottomed pan essential for stir-frying.
16. Impressive Wordle score
Hint: The fewest possible guesses to solve a Wordle.
17. "Dude ..."
Hint: A casual way to address a male friend.
19. Govt. group whose initials are half the letters of PLANET, appropriately
Hint: The agency that protects the environment. Think about which two letters from PLANET form its acronym.
22. Knight wear?
Hint: Metal armor made of interlocking rings.
25. Just slightly
Hint: A small amount. Two words, no spaces.
26. Takes advantage of
Hint: Makes use of something.
27. Little reminder
Hint: A short written message to yourself.
28. Greek sandwich
Hint: A pita-wrapped dish with meat, tomato, onion, and tzatziki.
Down Hints
1. Colorful parrot
Hint: A tropical bird with vibrant blue and yellow feathers.
2. White house?
Hint: A dome-shaped shelter made of snow blocks.
3. Headline that starts "10 Things You Won't Believe About ...," e.g.
Hint: The internet's favorite attention-grabbing article format.
4. Leave a video call, informally
Hint: To quickly exit a Zoom meeting.
5. Harder than it looks
Hint: Deceptively difficult. Three words, no spaces.
6. Gooey cheese
Hint: A soft French cheese with a white rind.
7. Forever and ever
Hint: An extremely long period of time.
9. Chinese dumpling
Hint: A filled dough parcel often served in soup.
12. Right this minute
Hint: Immediately, without delay.
18. Baptism or bat mitzvah
Hint: A ceremonial event marking a life milestone.
20. Section of a wharf
Hint: A platform extending from the shore over water.
21. "I forgot to mention ..."
Hint: A transition word used to add another thought.
22. Open a ___ of worms
Hint: The idiom for creating a complicated problem.
23. "Hacks" network
Hint: The cable channel that airs the Jean Smart comedy.
24. Coffee holder
Hint: A ceramic vessel for your morning brew.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Detroit's state: Abbr.
Answer: MICH
5. LeBron's league
Answer: NBA
8. "Tiny tots with their eyes all ___"
Answer: AGLOW
10. URL ending
Answer: ORG
11. Knot without a struggle?
Answer: CLIPONTIE
13. Frequent political ally of Bernie Sanders, familiarly
Answer: AOC
14. They smell
Answer: NOSES
15. Concave cookware
Answer: WOK
16. Impressive Wordle score
Answer: TWO
17. "Dude ..."
Answer: BRO
19. Govt. group whose initials are half the letters of PLANET, appropriately
Answer: EPA
22. Knight wear?
Answer: CHAINMAIL
25. Just slightly
Answer: ABIT
26. Takes advantage of
Answer: USES
27. Little reminder
Answer: NOTE
28. Greek sandwich
Answer: GYRO
Down Answers
1. Colorful parrot
Answer: MACAW
2. White house?
Answer: IGLOO
3. Headline that starts "10 Things You Won't Believe About ...," e.g.
Answer: CLICKBAIT
4. Leave a video call, informally
Answer: HOP
5. Harder than it looks
Answer: NOTSOEASY
6. Gooey cheese
Answer: BRIE
7. Forever and ever
Answer: AGES
9. Chinese dumpling
Answer: WONTON
12. Right this minute
Answer: NOW
18. Baptism or bat mitzvah
Answer: RITE
20. Section of a wharf
Answer: PIER
21. "I forgot to mention ..."
Answer: ALSO
22. Open a ___ of worms
Answer: CAN
23. "Hacks" network
Answer: HBO
24. Coffee holder
Answer: MUG
Grid Breakdown
Standout Clue: 19A. "Govt. group whose initials are half the letters of PLANET, appropriately" for EPA. The clue asks solvers to pull E and A from PLANET (two of the six letters), which spells EPA. The "appropriately" tag rewards solvers who catch the environmental reference.
Wordplay Winner: 11A. "Knot without a struggle?" for CLIPONTIE. A "knot" is a necktie, and "without a struggle" points to the clip-on variety. Clean misdirection with a satisfying reveal.
Quick Fill: 5A. "LeBron's league" for NBA. Three letters, zero ambiguity. The fastest gimme on the board.
Speed Solver Tips
Wednesday's grid rewards solvers who scan for short fill first. Three-letter answers like NBA, ORG, WOK, BRO, TWO, and AOC form the structural backbone of this puzzle. Lock those in early and the longer entries become gimmes.
Watch for compound answers written without spaces. CLIPONTIE, NOTSOEASY, and CLICKBAIT all run together. The Midi loves these smash-words. If a clue runs three or four words in the prompt, the answer likely does too.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? Between the EPA's clever letter-play and the food cluster of GYRO, BRIE, WONTON, and WOK, Wednesday served up a well-rounded solve.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
