Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a Mario-themed romp that packs power-ups, pipes, and flagpoles into a tight 9x9 space. 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: 33 (21 Across, 12 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 5D. Fashion magazine that went digital-only in 2019
Gimme Clue: 11D. Frying vessel
Theme Spotted: "A Tribute to Super Mario Bros."
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Speak (up) ... or a portal that transports Mario
Hint: Plumber's passageway. Four letters, starts with P.
5A. Human ___ Project
Hint: Scientific effort to map all human DNA. Six letters.
7A. One of 195 outside the U.N. headquarters ... or what Mario often hits to end a level
Hint: Think tall pole with a banner. Seven letters.
9A. Take a nice, long bath
Hint: Relax in the tub. Four letters.
10A. Pokémon GO or PayPal
Hint: Software on your phone. Three letters.
12A. Long ___ of the law
Hint: Stretch of legal authority. Three letters.
13A. Bag-checking org.
Hint: Airport security agency. Three letters.
14A. Two-person musical act
Hint: A pair of performers. Three letters.
15A. Animal in the Ritz-Carlton logo
Hint: King of the jungle. Four letters.
16A. Grow exponentially ... or a power-up that makes Mario bigger
Hint: Mario's favorite fungal snack. Eight letters.
20A. Award at a state fair
Hint: A long, colorful prize. Six letters.
21A. Invent, as a phrase ... or a possible score booster for Mario
Hint: Mario collects these for points. Four letters.
Down Hints
1D. Pinnacle
Hint: The highest point. Four letters.
2D. Verb ending found in this clue
Hint: The clue itself contains this suffix. Three letters.
3D. Champagne-opening sound
Hint: Cork's exit noise. Three letters.
4D. Punk rock subgenre
Hint: Emotional music style. Three letters.
5D. Fashion magazine that went digital-only in 2019
Hint: Condé Nast publication. Seven letters.
6D. Extreme joy
Hint: Overwhelming happiness. Seven letters.
7D. Discussion board
Hint: Online message platform. Four letters.
8D. ___ salts (bath additive)
Hint: Named after a British town. Five letters.
9D. Feeling blue
Hint: Down in the dumps. Three letters.
11D. Frying vessel
Hint: Kitchen skillet. Three letters.
15D. Bird on Canadian money
Hint: Diver bird on the loonie. Four letters.
17D. [Not my mistake]
Hint: Latin term meaning "thus" in brackets. Three letters.
18D. "Succession" network
Hint: Premium cable channel. Three letters.
19D. Baseball slugger's stat
Hint: Runs batted in. Three letters.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Speak (up) ... or a portal that transports Mario
Answer: PIPE
5A. Human ___ Project
Answer: GENOME
7A. One of 195 outside the U.N. headquarters ... or what Mario often hits to end a level
Answer: FLAGPOLE
9A. Take a nice, long bath
Answer: SOAK
10A. Pokémon GO or PayPal
Answer: APP
12A. Long ___ of the law
Answer: ARM
13A. Bag-checking org.
Answer: TSA
14A. Two-person musical act
Answer: DUO
15A. Animal in the Ritz-Carlton logo
Answer: LION
16A. Grow exponentially ... or a power-up that makes Mario bigger
Answer: MUSHROOM
20A. Award at a state fair
Answer: RIBBON
21A. Invent, as a phrase ... or a possible score booster for Mario
Answer: COIN
Down Answers
1D. Pinnacle
Answer: PEAK
2D. Verb ending found in this clue
Answer: ING
3D. Champagne-opening sound
Answer: POP
4D. Punk rock subgenre
Answer: EMO
5D. Fashion magazine that went digital-only in 2019
Answer: GLAMOUR
6D. Extreme joy
Answer: ELATION
7D. Discussion board
Answer: FORUM
8D. ___ salts (bath additive)
Answer: EPSOM
9D. Feeling blue
Answer: SAD
11D. Frying vessel
Answer: PAN
15D. Bird on Canadian money
Answer: LOON
17D. [Not my mistake]
Answer: SIC
18D. "Succession" network
Answer: HBO
19D. Baseball slugger's stat
Answer: RBI
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 16A. "Grow exponentially ... or a power-up that makes Mario bigger" for MUSHROOM. The constructor tied exponential growth to Mario's Super Mushroom, a dual- meaning clue that rewards both math and Nintendo knowledge.
Wordplay Winner: 17D. "[Not my mistake]" for SIC. The bracketed Latin term is both the answer and a meta-reference to how the clue is written, a self-referential trick that seasoned solvers will appreciate.
Quick Fill: 11D. "Frying vessel" for PAN. Three letters, one meaning, zero ambiguity. The kind of gimme that keeps your solve time respectable.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Theme-first strategy works here. Spotting the Mario thread (PIPE, FLAGPOLE, MUSHROOM, COIN) gives you four answers before reading a single Down clue. Fill those in, and the intersecting Down answers start falling into place.
Watch for three-letter fill. Today's grid is loaded with them: APP, ARM, TSA, DUO, PAN, SAD, POP, EMO, SIC, HBO, RBI, ING. These are the speed bumps that separate a 5-minute solve from a 10-minute one. Learn the common three-letter crossword words, and the Midi becomes a sprint.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. Today's Mario-themed grid offered a playful reminder that crossword constructors love pop culture crossovers. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
