NYT Midi Crossword hints and answers for September 20, 2026

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

Clues39
Across17
Down22
ThemeWell-Suited

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
Bear witness (to) (6)
Starts with A, ends with TATTEST→
7A
"Back in Black" band (4)
Starts with A, ends with CACDC→
11A
🇺🇸 + ♣️ = ___? (11)
Starts with C, ends with BCOUNTRYCLUB→
13A
🤞 + ♦️ = ___? (11)
Starts with H, ends with DHOPEDIAMOND→
15A
Cause of worry lines, some say (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRESS→
16A
Bio. or chem. (3)
Starts with S, ends with ISCI→
18A
Small map on a larger map (5)
Starts with I, ends with TINSET→
19A
Champagne-opening sound (3)
Starts with P, ends with PPOP→
21A
Sports squad (4)
Starts with T, ends with MTEAM→
26A
🪴 + ♠️ = ___? (11)
Starts with G, ends with EGARDENSPADE→
30A
🟪 + ♥️ = ___? (11)
Starts with P, ends with TPURPLEHEART→
31A
Sawed logs (6)
Starts with S, ends with DSNORED→
32A
"The Lion King" villain (4)
Starts with S, ends with RSCAR→
33A
Horse's gait (4)
Starts with T, ends with TTROT→
34A
Have to pay (3)
Starts with O, ends with EOWE→

Down

1D
Feel a tough workout the next day (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACHE→
2D
Gentle honks (5)
Starts with T, ends with STOOTS→
4D
Opposite of WSW (3)
Starts with E, ends with EENE→
5D
Regulations: Abbr. (4)
Starts with S, ends with SSTDS→
6D
Three-sided steak cut (6)
Starts with T, ends with PTRITIP→
7D
High points (5)
Starts with A, ends with SACMES→
8D
"___ but no cigar!" (5)
Starts with C, ends with ECLOSE→
9D
Kirsten of "The Power of the Dog," 2021 (5)
Starts with D, ends with TDUNST→
10D
Ingredient in some edibles, for short (3)
Starts with C, ends with DCBD→
12D
Material of interest to a knitter or kitten (4)
Starts with Y, ends with NYARN→
20D
Eggy breakfast (6)
Starts with O, ends with TOMELET→
21D
Jeer (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTAUNT→
22D
See the ___ of your ways (5)
Starts with E, ends with RERROR→
23D
More or less (3)
Starts with I, ends with HISH→
24D
Orangutans and bonobos (4)
Starts with A, ends with SAPES→
25D
Chain of auto repair shops (5)
Starts with M, ends with OMAACO→
26D
Navigation tool in a maps app, for short (3)
Starts with G, ends with SGPS→
27D
The Dutch, on soccer scoreboards (3)
Starts with N, ends with DNED→
28D
Sketch (4)
Starts with D, ends with WDRAW→
29D
French "to be" (4)
Starts with E, ends with EETRE→

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 20, 2026?+

39 clues: 17 Across and 22 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Ian Livengood.

What are some answers in today’s Midi?+

For example: Bear witness (to) (ATTEST); "Back in Black" band (ACDC); 🇺🇸 + ♣️ = ___? (COUNTRYCLUB).

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