Today’s NYT Midi Crossword hints and answers for November 5

Every clue with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so nothing is spoiled until you tap.

Clues30
Across15
Down15
ThemeI A-M A-ME-RI-CA

Today’s Midi clues, hints & answers

Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.

Across

1A
Prep, as Thanksgiving potatoes (4)
Starts with M, ends with HMASH→
5A
Unwanted email from a bot (4)
Starts with S, ends with MSPAM→
9A
Jet black (4)
Starts with I, ends with YINKY→
10A
Folk story (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETALE→
11A
12A
"I get that ___" (4)
Starts with A, ends with TALOT→
13A
"Good grief!" (8)
Starts with O, ends with EOHDEARME→
15A
Animal in a 2007 Pixar film (3)
Starts with R, ends with TRAT→
16A
Appetizer made with squid (8)
Starts with C, ends with ICALAMARI→
21A
Often-spotty hotel amenity (4)
Starts with W, ends with IWIFI→
22A
"Zounds!" (4)
Starts with E, ends with DEGAD→
23A
Merit (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEARN→
24A
Clownfish in a 2003 Pixar film (4)
Starts with N, ends with ONEMO→
25A
Reserve, as a hotel room (4)
Starts with B, ends with KBOOK→

Down

1D
Japanese soup (4)
Starts with M, ends with OMISO→
2D
Egyptian symbol known as the "key of life" (4)
Starts with A, ends with HANKH→
3D
Lose traction (4)
Starts with S, ends with DSKID→
4D
Clickable text in a news article (9)
Starts with H, ends with KHYPERLINK→
6D
Holder of a hidden quarter, perhaps (4)
Starts with P, ends with MPALM→
7D
___ vera (4)
Starts with A, ends with EALOE→
8D
Rendezvoused with (3)
Starts with M, ends with TMET→
14D
Small battery size (3)
Starts with A, ends with AAAA→
16D
Farewell pronounced like "chow" (4)
Starts with C, ends with OCIAO→
17D
Natural hairstyle (4)
Starts with A, ends with OAFRO→
18D
Gets on in years (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAGES→
19D
Wheelchair-accessible incline (4)
Starts with R, ends with PRAMP→
20D
Words exchanged at a wedding (4)
Starts with I, ends with SIDOS→
21D
"Charlotte's ___" (3)
Starts with W, ends with BWEB→

How to solve the Midi

Click a square and type to fill the grid. Each clue is numbered and marked Across or Down. Like the Daily Crossword, the Midi gets bigger as the week goes on: early-week grids are compact 9x9 puzzles with around 30 clues, Thursday and Friday grow to 10x10, and weekend grids reach 11x11 with longer theme answers.

Want the full method? Read our Midi strategy and tips, our guide to crossword clue types, or check how to play the Midi on the hub.

Midi tips for tomorrow

  • Fill the gimmes first. Scan every clue once and fill in anything you know instantly, especially fill-in-the-blank clues. Those letters unlock the crossings.
  • Read the theme title. The theme name often points straight at the longest answers. Try them early, even with only a couple of letters in place.
  • Match tense and number. A clue in the past tense has a past-tense answer; a plural clue has a plural answer. “Took to court” means the answer likely ends in -ED.

Done for today? Try The Mini, NYT Crossword, Wordle, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.

Previous Midi puzzles

Midi FAQ

How many clues are in the Midi for November 5, 2026?+

30 clues: 15 Across and 15 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Evan Kalish and edited by Ian Livengood.

What are some answers in today’s Midi?+

For example: Prep, as Thanksgiving potatoes (MASH); Unwanted email from a bot (SPAM); Jet black (INKY).

What is the NYT Midi crossword?+

The Midi is a mid-sized daily crossword from New York Times Games. It sits between the 5x5 Mini and the 15x15 Daily Crossword in both size and difficulty.

Where can I find past Midi answers?+

Every past Midi on GameAnswers.com has its own page with clue-by-clue hints first and the full answers at the bottom. Click any date above.

Today’s other puzzle answers

Crossword guides