Cancel through your New York Times account settings

The fastest way to cancel is to log into your New York Times account, go to your account settings, and end the subscription yourself. You do not need to call anyone or wait for a response. The process takes about two minutes and your access stops at the end of your current billing period.

Start by going to nytimes.com and signing in with your email and password. Click on your profile icon or account menu (usually in the top right corner), then select "Account" or "Settings." Look for a section labeled "Subscription," "Billing," or "Manage Subscription." You should see your current plan listed with a button or link that says "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Plan." Click it, and the site will ask you to confirm. After you confirm, you will receive an email receipt showing the cancellation date.

Your subscription will remain active through the end of the billing period you have already paid for. If you paid for a monthly plan on the 15th of the month, you can cancel on the 16th and still have access through the 15th of next month. If you cancel a yearly plan, you keep access through the anniversary date of when you started.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel your New York Times subscription by logging into your account, finding the Subscription section, and clicking Cancel Subscription.
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, not when ready, so you will not lose access right away.
  • If you cannot access your account or forget your password, you can contact New York Times customer service by phone or email to cancel instead.
  • Some New York Times subscriptions bundled with other services (like Audible or Apple News+) require you to cancel through that service, not through the Times directly.
  • You will receive a confirmation email after cancellation showing your final access date.

What happens after you cancel

After cancellation, you will still be able to read articles and use your account until your billing period ends. On that final date, your access to paid content stops. You can still read the limited number of free articles the Times allows each month, but you will not be able to read full stories or access the full archive.

The New York Times will send you reminder emails as your access date approaches. These emails may also offer you a discount to restart your subscription. You can ignore these or click through if you change your mind. Restarting is as straightforward as clicking the offer link or logging back in and choosing a plan.

Cancel if you cannot access your account

If you forgot your password, do not have access to your email, or cannot log in for any other reason, you can still cancel by contacting the New York Times directly. Call their customer service line at 1-800-698-4637 (the number may vary by country). Have your account email address and the phone number or credit card you used to set up the subscription ready when you call.

You can also email customer service through the New York Times website. Go to nytimes.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and look for "Help" or "Contact Us." Select the option for subscription or billing questions. Explain that you want to cancel and provide your account email. Response times vary, but the Times typically replies within one to two business days.

Cancel a subscription bundled with another service

If you subscribed to the New York Times through Apple News+, Amazon Prime, or another bundled service, you must cancel through that service, not through the Times directly. Canceling through your New York Times account will not work because the Times is not billing you directly.

For Apple News+, open the Apple News app, tap your profile icon, select "Manage Subscription," and choose "Cancel Subscription." For Amazon Prime, go to your Prime membership settings, find "Manage Your Prime Membership," and look for the New York Times add-on to remove it. For other bundled services, log into that service's website or app, find the subscriptions or add-ons section, and remove the Times from there. After you cancel the bundle, you will lose access to the Times when that billing period ends.

Avoid accidental reactivation

After you cancel, do not click on promotional links in emails from the New York Times offering discounted rates. These links can restart your subscription automatically, and you may not notice the charge on your credit card for several weeks. If you receive an offer you are interested in, you can always restart manually by logging into your account and choosing a plan yourself.

If you see a charge on your credit card after your cancellation date, log back into your account to check your subscription status. Sometimes a subscription restarts by mistake, or a promotional offer was applied without your knowledge. If you see an unexpected charge, contact customer service with your receipt or credit card statement, and they can refund it and cancel again.

Restarting your subscription later

You can restart your New York Times subscription at any time after cancellation. Log into your account, and you will see an option to choose a new plan. The Times often offers discounted rates to returning subscribers, especially if you wait a few weeks after canceling. These rates are typically lower than what new subscribers pay.

Your old articles, saved stories, and reading history remain in your account even after cancellation, so you will pick up where you left off when you restart. You do not need to create a new account or re-enter your payment information if it is still on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get a refund if I cancel in the middle of a billing period?

No. The New York Times does not issue refunds for partial months or years. Your subscription remains active through the end of the period you have paid for. If you paid for a full year, you keep access for the full year even if you cancel on day one.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

The New York Times does not offer a pause option. You can only cancel or keep your subscription active. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you must cancel and restart later. Some promotional offers for returning subscribers are lower than regular rates, so waiting a few weeks before restarting may save you money.

What if I subscribed through a gift or promotional offer?

Gift subscriptions and promotional subscriptions cancel the same way as regular ones. Log into your account, go to your subscription settings, and click Cancel. Your access will end on the date the gift or promotion expires, not before. You cannot cancel a gift subscription early and get a refund.

Do I need to cancel before switching to a different plan?

No. You can change your plan directly in your account settings without canceling first. Go to your subscription section and look for an option to "Change Plan" or "Upgrade/Downgrade." You can switch between monthly and yearly, or between different tiers of access, without losing your account or history.

What if the cancel button is not showing up?

Make sure you are logged into the correct account. If you have multiple email addresses, your subscription might be under a different one. Try logging out completely, clearing your browser cache, and logging back in. If the button still does not appear, contact customer service — your account may have a restriction that requires a representative to cancel.