Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a sharp mix of pop culture savvy and classic wordplay.
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: 29 (15 Across, 14 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 7D: Asian city that hosted the only Summer Olympics to occur in an odd year (2021)
Gimme Clue: 13A: ___ the lawn
Theme Spotted: None today
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Post-workout pain, maybe
Hint: Muscle soreness after exercise
5A. ___ and crafts
Hint: Creative activities pairing with crafts
9A. Utah city that shares its name with a Biblical kingdom
Hint: Red rock destination in southern Utah
10A. Contents of a pirate's chest
Hint: Treasure or plunder
11A. Compulsive fire-starter, casually
Hint: Person with pyromania tendencies
12A. N.B.A. great Doncic
Hint: Dallas Mavericks superstar's first name
13A. ___ the lawn
Hint: Cut grass
15A. Workout locale
Hint: Fitness center
16A. Place to buy a bong, maybe
Hint: Head shop or smoke shop
19A. Unfathomably long time
Hint: Geological time period
20A. "I did NOT need to hear all that!"
Hint: Too much information abbreviation
21A. Motion-sensing Nintendo consoles
Hint: Wii systems plural
23A. ___ Mode, costume designer in "The Incredibles"
Hint: Edna Mode's first name
26A. Oceanic predator in a matrilineal pod
Hint: Killer whale
27A. Jump high
Hint: Spring upward
28A. Bread dipped into chicken tikka masala
Hint: Indian flatbread
29A. Genie's home
Hint: Where Aladdin's genie lives
Down Hints
1D. Sound booster at a concert
Hint: Amplifier abbreviation
2D. Like an impish smile
Hint: Playfully shy or modest
3D. Non-piano instrument heard in the intro to "Piano Man"
Hint: Mouth organ used in Billy Joel's song
4D. Kindle download
Hint: Digital book
5D. Completely
Hint: Entirely or wholly
6D. Gist
Hint: General idea or approximate version
7D. Asian city that hosted the only Summer Olympics to occur in an odd year (2021)
Hint: Japanese capital
8D. Answer to the riddle "What travels around the world but stays in one corner?"
Hint: Postage item
14D. Like an 8-Down that's just been licked
Hint: Moist or damp
16D. Attach, as a patch
Hint: Stitch on
17D. "Schitt's Creek" matriarch who pronounces "baby" like "bebe"
Hint: Moira Rose's first name
18D. Use your nose
Hint: Detect scent
22D. ___ Diego
Hint: California city prefix
24D. "Apocalypse Now" setting, for short
Hint: Vietnam War abbreviation
25D. Spotify or Strava
Hint: Mobile application
26D. Sound from a kitty
Hint: Cat's vocalization
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Post-workout pain, maybe
Answer: ACHE
5A. ___ and crafts
Answer: ARTS
9A. Utah city that shares its name with a Biblical kingdom
Answer: MOAB
10A. Contents of a pirate's chest
Answer: LOOT
11A. Compulsive fire-starter, casually
Answer: PYRO
12A. N.B.A. great Doncic
Answer: LUKA
13A. ___ the lawn
Answer: MOW
15A. Workout locale
Answer: GYM
16A. Place to buy a bong, maybe
Answer: SMOKESHOP
19A. Unfathomably long time
Answer: EON
20A. "I did NOT need to hear all that!"
Answer: TMI
21A. Motion-sensing Nintendo consoles
Answer: WIIS
23A. ___ Mode, costume designer in "The Incredibles"
Answer: EDNA
26A. Oceanic predator in a matrilineal pod
Answer: ORCA
27A. Jump high
Answer: LEAP
28A. Bread dipped into chicken tikka masala
Answer: NAAN
29A. Genie's home
Answer: LAMP
Down Answers
1D. Sound booster at a concert
Answer: AMP
2D. Like an impish smile
Answer: COY
3D. Non-piano instrument heard in the intro to "Piano Man"
Answer: HARMONICA
4D. Kindle download
Answer: EBOOK
5D. Completely
Answer: ALL
6D. Gist
Answer: ROUGH
7D. Asian city that hosted the only Summer Olympics to occur in an odd year (2021)
Answer: TOKYO
8D. Answer to the riddle "What travels around the world but stays in one corner?"
Answer: STAMP
14D. Like an 8-Down that's just been licked
Answer: WET
16D. Attach, as a patch
Answer: SEW
17D. "Schitt's Creek" matriarch who pronounces "baby" like "bebe"
Answer: MOIRA
18D. Use your nose
Answer: SMELL
22D. ___ Diego
Answer: SAN
24D. "Apocalypse Now" setting, for short
Answer: NAM
25D. Spotify or Strava
Answer: APP
26D. Sound from a kitty
Answer: MEW
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 7D for TOKYO. The clue references the unique 2021 Olympics timing while testing geographical knowledge.
Wordplay Winner: 8D for STAMP. The riddle format creates an engaging mental image that leads to the postal answer.
Quick Fill: 13A for MOW. The common phrase "mow the lawn" makes this an immediate solve for most solvers.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Watch for pop culture references in three-letter answers. Today's grid included LUKA (NBA), EDNA (The Incredibles), and MOIRA (Schitt's Creek) as quick fills.
Recognize common abbreviation patterns. TMI, AMP, GYM, and APP all follow standard crossword abbreviation conventions.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The mix of contemporary references like Luka Dončić and classic wordplay like the STAMP riddle creates balanced solving.
Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
