NYT Midi Crossword hints and answers for September 21, 2026

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

Clues34
Across16
Down18
ThemeMake a Beeline For It

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
Make a beeline, say (4)
Starts with D, ends with HDASH→
5A
Wash vigorously (5)
Starts with S, ends with BSCRUB→
11A
Boston daily newspaper (5)
Starts with G, ends with EGLOBE→
12A
Standard (4)
Starts with N, ends with MNORM→
13A
Toothpaste containers (5)
Starts with T, ends with STUBES→
14A
Injury from a 25-Down (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSTING→
16A
Pigeon-loving character on "Sesame Street" (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBERT→
17A
Cries hysterically (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSOBS→
19A
"So cute!" (3)
Starts with A, ends with WAWW→
22A
___ and call (4)
Starts with B, ends with KBECK→
24A
Nickname for New Orleans (10)
Starts with T, ends with YTHEBIGEASY→
28A
Home for a 25-Down (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHIVE→
29A
Make a knot not? (5)
Starts with U, ends with EUNTIE→
30A
One of two 10-point tiles in Scrabble (3)
Starts with Z, ends with EZEE→
31A
Necessities (5)
Starts with N, ends with SNEEDS→

Down

1D
Puts on, as clothing (4)
Starts with D, ends with SDONS→
2D
Many (4)
Starts with A, ends with TALOT→
3D
Garment commonly worn by Bangladeshi women (4)
Starts with S, ends with ISARI→
4D
Devotional songs (5)
Starts with H, ends with SHYMNS→
5D
"___ Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (3)
Starts with S, ends with TSGT→
6D
Raver's nightlife environment (9)
Starts with C, ends with ECLUBSCENE→
7D
Cozy post-shower attire (4)
Starts with R, ends with EROBE→
8D
Lyft competitor (4)
Starts with U, ends with RUBER→
9D
Awards show superlative (4)
Starts with B, ends with TBEST→
18D
Underway (5)
Starts with B, ends with NBEGUN→
19D
Airport code of Greece's capital (3)
Starts with A, ends with HATH→
20D
"Gee ___!" (4)
Starts with W, ends with ZWHIZ→
21D
23D
"Kiss Me, ___" (Cole Porter musical) (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKATE→
25D
Animal moving diagonally in this puzzle? (3)
Starts with B, ends with EBEE→
26D
___ Vicious, punk rock icon (3)
Starts with S, ends with DSID→
27D
[Nods head] (3)
Starts with Y, ends with SYES→

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 September 21, 2026?+

34 clues: 16 Across and 18 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Zhou Zhang and Kevin Curry and edited by Ian Livengood.

What are some answers in today’s Midi?+

For example: Make a beeline, say (DASH); Wash vigorously (SCRUB); Skin care brand that dropped "Oil of" from its name (OLAY).

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