What You Get With a National Geographic Subscription
A National Geographic magazine subscription delivers the monthly print edition to your home, or gives you access to digital issues on their website and mobile app, depending on which plan you choose. You can subscribe for one year, two years, or longer. The magazine arrives roughly 4 to 6 weeks after you place your order for the first issue, and then on a regular monthly schedule after that.
Each issue contains feature articles about science, nature, exploration, and culture, along with photography and maps. A print subscription includes access to some digital content on the National Geographic website. A digital-only subscription gives you the full magazine in PDF form through their app and website, usually available before the print edition ships.
Key Takeaways
- You can subscribe through National Geographic's official website, or through third-party retailers like Amazon or Magazines.com, each with different renewal terms and pricing.
- Print subscriptions cost less per issue when you commit to a longer term, and include some digital access; digital-only subscriptions are cheaper upfront but do not include print.
- Your first issue arrives 4 to 6 weeks after you order; subsequent issues arrive monthly on a predictable schedule.
- You can pause, resume, or cancel your subscription through your account dashboard or by contacting customer service, though refund policies vary by retailer.
Where to Subscribe and What Each Option Costs
National Geographic offers subscriptions directly through their website at nationalgeographic.com/subscribe. You can also subscribe through Amazon, Magazines.com, and other magazine retailers. Pricing and renewal terms differ depending on where you buy.
Direct subscriptions through National Geographic typically offer the longest commitment discounts — a one-year print subscription costs less per month if you pay upfront for the full year than if you pay month-to-month. Two-year and three-year options usually offer the lowest per-issue rate. Digital-only subscriptions are cheaper than print but do not include the physical magazine. Third-party retailers sometimes offer introductory rates for the first year, then renew at a higher price, so check the renewal cost before you commit.
Prices change seasonally and by retailer, so compare the total cost for your preferred term length across National Geographic's site and at least one major retailer before ordering. The difference between a one-year and three-year commitment can be substantial.
How to Set Up Your Subscription Online
To subscribe directly through National Geographic, go to nationalgeographic.com/subscribe and select your subscription type (print, digital, or both). Enter your delivery address, email address, and payment method. You will receive a confirmation email with your subscription details and an estimated delivery date for your first issue.
If you subscribe through a third-party retailer like Amazon or Magazines.com, follow their checkout process. You will typically receive a confirmation email from both the retailer and National Geographic. Save this confirmation — it contains your subscription number, which you will need if you contact customer service later.
Your account is created automatically when you subscribe. You can log in at nationalgeographic.com using the email address you provided at checkout. From your account dashboard, you can view your subscription status, update your delivery address, manage your digital access, and pause or cancel your subscription.
Accessing Your Magazine in Print and Digital
Print issues arrive by mail roughly 4 to 6 weeks after you place your order for the first issue. After that, new issues arrive on a monthly schedule, typically in the middle of the month or shortly after. The exact delivery date depends on your location and postal service.
If your subscription includes digital access, you can read the current and past issues through the National Geographic website or their mobile app. read the app to your phone or tablet, log in with your subscription email, and browse available issues. Digital issues are usually available before the print edition ships, so you can read the latest content right away without waiting for the mail.
Some subscriptions include access to National Geographic's full article archive online, while others limit you to recent issues. Check your account dashboard to see which content is included in your plan.
Pausing, Changing, or Canceling Your Subscription
You can manage your subscription through your account at nationalgeographic.com. Log in, go to your subscription settings, and you will see options to pause, resume, or cancel. A pause temporarily stops your issues without canceling; you can resume whenever you want. Cancellation ends your subscription when ready, though you will keep access to digital content through the end of your paid term.
If you subscribed through a third-party retailer like Amazon or Magazines.com, you may need to cancel through that retailer's website instead. Check your confirmation email to see where your subscription is managed. Some retailers allow cancellation through their account dashboard; others require you to contact their customer service team.
Refund policies vary. Direct National Geographic subscriptions typically do not refund unused issues, but some retailers offer refunds if you cancel within a certain window. Check the terms when you subscribe, or contact customer service before canceling if a refund matters to you.
Troubleshooting Delivery and Access Problems
If your magazine does not arrive within 6 to 8 weeks of ordering, or if you miss an issue in your regular monthly delivery, contact National Geographic customer service. Have your subscription number ready. They can check whether your issue is in transit, resend a replacement, or investigate a delivery problem with your address.
If you cannot log into your digital account or access issues through the app, try resetting your password at nationalgeographic.com. If that does not work, clear the app's cache (on most phones, go to Settings > Apps > National Geographic > Storage > Clear Cache) and log in again. If you still cannot access your content, contact customer service with your subscription number and the error message you see.
Address changes take effect with your next issue. Update your delivery address through your account dashboard at least two weeks before your next issue is scheduled to arrive. If you change your address after an issue has already shipped, contact customer service to redirect it or request a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give a National Geographic subscription as a gift?
Yes. National Geographic offers gift subscriptions through their website. You provide the recipient's name and address, choose the subscription length and type, and pay for it. National Geographic will send a gift announcement to the recipient, and their subscription will begin with the next available issue. Gift subscriptions are available for one year or longer.
What happens when my subscription ends?
Your subscription will stop renewing automatically unless you set it to renew. National Geographic will send you an email reminder before your subscription expires, with an option to renew at the current rate. If you do not renew, your digital access ends, but you keep the print issues you received. You can renew anytime by logging into your account or contacting customer service.
Can I change my subscription from print to digital or vice versa?
You can cancel your current subscription and start a new one with a different type, but you cannot convert an existing subscription. If you want to switch, cancel through your account dashboard and place a new order for the subscription type you want. Some retailers may allow you to modify your subscription type — check with them before canceling.
Do I get a discount if I subscribe for multiple years?
Yes. Multi-year subscriptions cost less per month than one-year subscriptions. A three-year commitment typically offers the lowest per-issue rate. Compare the total cost across different term lengths on the National Geographic website or your chosen retailer to see which saves you the most money.
What if I move and need to update my address?
Log into your account at nationalgeographic.com and update your delivery address in your subscription settings. Make the change at least two weeks before your next issue is scheduled to arrive. If you change your address after an issue has shipped, contact customer service with your subscription number and new address, and they can redirect it or send a replacement to your new location.