What you get with a New York Times subscription
A New York Times subscription gives you access to articles, opinion pieces, recipes, games, and audio content published by the Times. The specific content you can read depends on which subscription plan you choose — some plans unlock everything the Times publishes, while others limit you to certain sections or a set number of articles per month.
The Times offers four main subscription types: a basic digital plan, a premium digital plan, a print-only plan, and a bundle that combines print with digital access. Each has different pricing, different content limits, and different cancellation terms. The plan you choose depends on what content matters to you and how much you want to spend.
All subscriptions include access to the Times's mobile apps for iPhone and Android, so you can read on your phone or tablet. Some plans also include access to the Times's games — the daily crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others — though this varies by plan.
Key Takeaways
- The New York Times offers four subscription types: digital basic, digital premium, print-only, and print plus digital, each with different content access and price points.
- Digital subscriptions start at a promotional rate but increase to a higher standard price after the promotional period ends, usually after the first month or year.
- Print subscriptions are delivered to your home on a schedule you choose — daily, weekends only, or Sundays only — and the price varies by your location.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings, and the Times does not charge an early termination fee.
- Student subscriptions cost less than standard subscriptions and require verification through SheerID, a third-party service that confirms your enrollment status.
Digital subscription plans and what they include
The Times offers two digital-only plans. The basic digital plan costs less but limits you to a certain number of articles per month — typically around 10 articles — before you hit a paywall. Once you reach that limit, you cannot read more articles that month. The paywall resets on the first day of each month.
The premium digital plan, called "All Access," removes the article limit entirely. You can read as many Times articles as you want, plus you get access to all games, audio content, and the Times's recipe database. This plan costs more than the basic plan but less than a print subscription.
Both digital plans include access to the Times's mobile apps. If you start with the basic plan and want to upgrade to All Access later, you can do so through your account settings, and the Times will prorate the cost based on how much time remains in your billing cycle.
Print and print-plus-digital subscriptions
Print subscriptions deliver the physical newspaper to your home. You choose how often you want it delivered: every day, weekends only (Saturday and Sunday), or Sundays only. The price varies depending on your location — delivery costs more in some areas than others — and the Times updates pricing periodically.
A print-plus-digital bundle gives you the print newspaper plus full digital access (the All Access plan). This bundle typically costs less than buying a print subscription and a digital All Access plan separately, though the exact savings depend on your location and current pricing.
Print subscriptions are billed weekly or monthly depending on your preference. You can pause delivery for a specific period — for example, if you are traveling — without canceling your subscription entirely. To pause, log into your account and adjust your delivery settings.
Promotional pricing and price increases
The Times frequently offers promotional rates for new subscribers. A digital subscription might start at a very low price for the first month or the first year, then jump to a higher standard rate when the promotional period ends. The exact promotional offer changes regularly and may vary based on how you find the subscription — through the Times's website, through an app, or through a third-party platform.
Before you complete your purchase, the Times shows you the promotional price and the date when your price will increase. Read this information carefully so you know what you will pay after the promotion ends. If you do not want to pay the standard rate, you can cancel before the price increase takes effect.
Print subscriptions also have promotional offers, though they are typically smaller discounts than digital promotions. Print pricing is also subject to periodic increases, and the Times notifies you by email before a price change takes effect.
Student subscriptions and discounts
Students enrolled full-time at a college or university can purchase a discounted digital subscription through the Times's student program. The student rate is lower than the standard digital plan price. To purchase a student subscription, you go to the Times's student subscription page and verify your enrollment status through SheerID, a service that checks your school's records to confirm you are currently enrolled.
The verification process is when ready — SheerID connects to your school's database and confirms your status in real time. If your school is not in SheerID's system, you can upload documents like a student ID or course registration to verify manually. The verification is free and takes a few minutes.
Student subscriptions renew at the student rate each year as long as you remain enrolled. If you graduate or leave school, your subscription will revert to the standard price unless you cancel it.
How to manage, pause, or cancel your subscription
You manage your New York Times subscription through your account page on the Times's website. Log in with your email and password, then go to your account settings. From there you can view your current plan, see your billing date, update your payment method, and change your subscription type.
To pause your subscription, go to your account settings and select the pause option. You choose how long to pause — typically up to four weeks — and your subscription resumes automatically when the pause period ends. Pausing does not cancel your subscription, so you will not lose your account or your saved articles.
To cancel, go to your account settings and select the cancel option. The Times asks you why you are canceling but does not require you to answer. Cancellation takes effect when ready, and you lose access to your subscription content right away. The Times does not offer refunds for unused portions of your billing cycle, but you can resubscribe at any time.
Subscriptions through third-party platforms and bundled offers
You can purchase a New York Times subscription directly from the Times's website, or you can purchase it through third-party platforms like Apple News+, Amazon Prime Video Channels, or Google Play. The price and terms may differ depending on where you buy it.
If you buy through Apple News+, for example, you get access to the Times's content as part of a bundle that includes other publications. The price is set by Apple, not the Times, and you manage the subscription through your Apple account rather than through the Times's website. Canceling through Apple also cancels your Times access.
Some employers and libraries also offer New York Times subscriptions as a benefit. If your employer or library provides access, you typically receive a special link or code that activates a subscription tied to your work or library account. Check with your employer's benefits department or your local library to see if this is available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read New York Times articles for free?
The Times allows you to read a limited number of free articles per month without a subscription — usually around 5 articles. Once you reach that limit, you see a paywall. You can also read some articles for free if you arrive through a social media link or a search engine result, though this varies. A subscription removes the article limit entirely.
What happens to my subscription if I change my payment method?
Your subscription continues without interruption. Log into your account settings, go to your payment method, and update your credit card or other payment information. The Times will charge your new payment method on your next billing date. If a payment fails, the Times sends you an email asking you to update your payment information.
Can I share my New York Times subscription with family members?
The Times allows you to add household members to your account through a feature called "Manage your household." Each household member gets their own login and can access the subscription on their own devices. The exact number of household members you can add depends on your subscription plan — check your account settings to see the limit for your plan.
Do I have to provide a credit card to start a free trial?
Yes. The Times requires a valid credit card to start any promotional offer or free trial, even if the trial period is free. The Times charges your card on the first day after the trial ends unless you cancel before that date. Set a reminder to cancel before your trial ends if you do not want to be charged.
What is the difference between the basic digital plan and All Access?
The basic digital plan limits you to a set number of articles per month before hitting a paywall. All Access removes that limit and also includes access to all games, audio content, and recipes. All Access costs more but gives you unlimited reading and full access to all Times content and features.