Unnecessary item for solving a digital-only crossword
Editorially verified for the Sep 25, 2026
20 Across
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Clue explained
A pen is unnecessary when solving a crossword digitally, since the letters are entered on a screen instead of written on paper. “Item” calls for a concrete object.
- Clue type:
- Definition
NYT Midi Crossword
This clue's Friday, September 25, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Unnecessary item for solving a digital-only crossword” in the New York Times Midi crossword is PEN — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 25, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 20-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.
“Unnecessary item for solving a digital-only crossword” answer
PEN (3 letters)
Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is PEN.
What does PEN mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of PEN is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- an instrument for writing or drawing with ink, typically consisting of a metal nib or ball, or a nylon tip, fitted into a metal or plastic holder
- the tapering cartilaginous internal shell of a squid
When else has “Unnecessary item for solving a digital-only crossword” appeared?
New York Times Midi reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.
September 25, 2026 (most recent) → PEN. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Unnecessary item for solving a digital-only crossword”?
The answer is PEN, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 25, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Unnecessary item for solving a digital-only crossword”?
3 letters: PEN.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on September 25, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 20-Across.
Can “Unnecessary item for solving a digital-only crossword” have a different answer?
Yes — New York Times Midi sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.
Where can I find the rest of this day's NYT Midi answers?
The full grid for September 25, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.
New York Times Midi Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.
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