What a New York Times subscription gives you
A New York Times subscription gives you unlimited access to articles on nytimes.com and the New York Times app on your phone or tablet. The Times uses a metered paywall, which means you can read a certain number of free articles each month before you hit a limit and are asked to pay. Once you subscribe, that limit disappears.
The Times offers several subscription tiers. The basic digital subscription covers news, opinion, and some multimedia content. The bundle adds access to the Games (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others) and the recipe database. The print-plus-digital bundle includes a physical newspaper delivered to your home plus full digital access. Each tier costs differently and renews on a schedule you choose — usually monthly or annually.
Your subscription works across devices. You log in with the same email and password on your phone, tablet, and computer. You can read articles to read offline, and you get access to the Times's newsletters, which arrive in your email inbox.
Key Takeaways
- The New York Times subscription removes the article limit and gives you full access to nytimes.com and the mobile app.
- You can choose between a digital-only subscription, a digital bundle that includes games and recipes, or a print-plus-digital bundle.
- You set up your account with an email address and password, and you can log in on multiple devices at the same time.
- Your subscription renews automatically on a monthly or annual schedule, and you can pause or cancel anytime through your account settings.
How to start a subscription
Go to nytimes.com and look for the "Subscribe" button, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it and you will see the available plans with their prices. Choose the one that fits what you want — digital only, digital plus games and recipes, or print plus digital. The page will show you the renewal price after any introductory offer ends.
Click the plan you want and you will be taken to a sign-up form. Enter your email address and create a password. You will also enter your billing address and payment method — the Times accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. After you confirm your payment information, your subscription starts when ready and you can begin reading.
If you already have a New York Times account from signing up for a newsletter or creating a free account, you can log in instead of creating a new account. The Times will add the subscription to your existing profile.
Managing your subscription and payment method
Log into your account at nytimes.com by clicking the profile icon in the top right corner and selecting "Account." From there, click "Subscription" to see your current plan, renewal date, and billing history. This is also where you pause your subscription temporarily or cancel it entirely.
To update your payment method, go to Account and select "Billing." You can add a new credit card, debit card, or PayPal account, or change which one the Times charges each month. If your card expires or is declined, the Times will send you an email asking you to update it before your next renewal date.
If you want to change your plan — for example, from digital-only to the bundle with games — go to your Subscription page and look for the option to upgrade or downgrade. The Times will adjust your next billing amount based on the plan you choose.
Pausing and canceling your subscription
You can pause your subscription for up to four weeks without losing access to your account or your saved articles. Go to Account, select Subscription, and look for the pause option. When your pause ends, your subscription resumes and you will be charged on your next renewal date.
To cancel, go to the same Subscription page and select the cancel option. The Times will ask you why you are canceling — this is optional feedback — and will confirm your cancellation. Your access continues through the end of your current billing period. After that date, you will see the metered paywall again when you visit nytimes.com.
If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can do so at any time by going back to nytimes.com and clicking Subscribe. The Times does not penalize you for canceling and restarting.
Sharing your account and managing multiple devices
Your New York Times subscription is tied to your email address and password. You can log in on as many devices as you want — phone, tablet, computer, even a smart TV if the Times app is available. You stay logged in on each device until you manually log out.
The Times does not restrict sharing within a household, but the account is meant for personal use. If you share your login with someone outside your home, that person will have the same access you do, including the ability to change your password or cancel your subscription. For that reason, use a password only you know.
If you want to give someone else a subscription without sharing your login, you can purchase a gift subscription. Go to nytimes.com/gift and choose the length and plan. You enter the recipient's email address and the Times sends them a code to start their own account. Gift subscriptions typically last 3, 6, or 12 months.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you are seeing the paywall even though you have a subscription, log out completely and log back in. Sometimes your session expires and the Times does not recognize that you are a subscriber. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If you are on the app, try closing it completely and reopening it.
If you are not receiving renewal reminders or billing emails, check that the email address in your Account settings is correct and that emails from nytimes.com are not going to your spam folder. You can also turn on email notifications in your Account settings.
If you are having trouble with the Times app on your phone or tablet, make sure you have the latest version installed from your device's app store. Log out of the app, close it completely, and log back in. If the problem continues, you can still read on nytimes.com in your mobile browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the New York Times for free?
Yes. The Times lets you read a limited number of articles each month without paying. Once you reach that limit, you will see a message asking you to subscribe. The exact number of free articles varies, but it is typically around 5 to 10 per month depending on how you access the site.
What is the difference between the digital subscription and the bundle?
The digital subscription gives you access to all news, opinion, and video on nytimes.com and the app. The bundle adds the Games (crossword, Spelling Bee, and others) and the recipe database with search and save features. The bundle costs more per month. Print-plus-digital includes a physical newspaper delivered to your home on top of everything else.
Can I get a discount on a New York Times subscription?
The Times regularly offers introductory rates for new subscribers, especially for annual plans. These rates are shown on the subscription page when you sign up. Existing subscribers sometimes receive promotional offers via email. The Times does not have a permanent discount code, but checking during major holidays or news events sometimes reveals limited-time offers.
What happens to my subscription if I move?
Your digital subscription works anywhere you have internet access. If you have a print subscription, you can update your delivery address in your Account settings under Subscription. The Times will adjust your billing if you move to a different delivery zone. Contact customer service if you are moving internationally, as print delivery may not be available.
Can I use my New York Times login on other websites?
Some partner websites let you log in with your New York Times account instead of creating a separate login. This is called single sign-on. Your subscription does not automatically give you access to other news sites — it only works on nytimes.com and the New York Times app.