Today’s NYT Midi Crossword hints and answers for October 31

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

Clues30
Across12
Down18
ThemeJump Scare

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
By ___ and bounds (5)
Starts with L, ends with SLEAPS→
6A
Prepare to nap (7)
Starts with L, ends with NLIEDOWN→
8A
Time for spooky sights and sounds (9)
Starts with H, ends with NHALLOWEEN→
10A
Egg cells (3)
Starts with O, ends with AOVA→
11A
This or that or whichever (3)
Starts with A, ends with YANY→
16A
Chinese steamed bun (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBAO→
23A
Spell of activity (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBOUT→
24A
Fitting rhyme for "gloom" (4)
Starts with D, ends with MDOOM→
25A
Dude (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBRO→
26A
Class that teaches about DNA, in brief (3)
Starts with B, ends with OBIO→

Down

1D
Pale purple (5)
Starts with L, ends with CLILAC→
2D
Sushi fish served with a sweet-salty sauce (3)
Starts with E, ends with LEEL→
3D
Hubbub (3)
Starts with A, ends with OADO→
4D
Comic book onomatopoeia (3)
Starts with P, ends with WPOW→
5D
Say with a hand on the Bible (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSWEAR→
6D
7D
State bird of Hawaii (4)
Starts with N, ends with ENENE→
8D
Ad ___ (formed for a particular purpose) (3)
Starts with H, ends with CHOC→
13D
Be next to (4)
Starts with A, ends with TABUT→
14D
Rowboat tool (3)
Starts with O, ends with ROAR→
15D
"Frog and ___" (children's book series) (4)
Starts with T, ends with DTOAD→
17D
Flow back (3)
Starts with E, ends with BEBB→
19D
"Dynamic" grouping of people (3)
Starts with D, ends with ODUO→
20D
Head, in slang (3)
Starts with N, ends with BNOB→
21D
22D
Rock genre with confessional lyrics (3)
Starts with E, ends with OEMO→

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 October 31, 2026?+

30 clues: 12 Across and 18 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Alina Abidi and edited by Ian Livengood.

What are some answers in today’s Midi?+

For example: By ___ and bounds (LEAPS); Prepare to nap (LIEDOWN); Time for spooky sights and sounds (HALLOWEEN).

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