What you get with a New York Times subscription
A New York Times subscription gives you unlimited access to articles on nytimes.com and the New York Times mobile app. The number of articles you can read each month depends on which plan you choose — some plans have limits, while others do not. You also get access to the Times' games (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others) and the daily newsletter, depending on your plan level.
The Times offers several subscription tiers. The basic digital plan covers news articles and some features. The bundle plans add games, cooking recipes, or both. Print subscribers can add digital access. Each plan costs a different amount and renews on a schedule you choose — weekly, monthly, or annually.
When you subscribe, you create an account with an email address and password. The Times uses this account to track which articles you have read and to send you newsletters if you choose to receive them. You can read on any device where you sign in with that account.
Key Takeaways
- The New York Times offers multiple subscription plans at different price points, from digital-only news access to bundles that include games and recipes.
- Most digital plans let you read unlimited articles, though some introductory offers may have monthly limits that lift after the promotional period ends.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on nytimes.com.
- The Times charges your payment method on a recurring schedule — weekly, monthly, or annually — depending on the plan you select.
- If you have a print subscription to the New York Times newspaper, you can add digital access for a lower price than a standalone digital plan.
The different subscription plans and their costs
The New York Times publishes its current pricing on nytimes.com/subscribe. Prices vary depending on whether you pay weekly, monthly, or annually, and they change periodically. A monthly digital-only plan typically costs less than an annual plan when you divide the annual cost by 12 months, so annual plans offer better value if you plan to stay subscribed for a full year.
The Times also offers introductory rates for new subscribers — for example, a discounted first month or first several weeks. These promotional prices are temporary. After the promotional period ends, your subscription renews at the regular price unless you cancel. The Times will notify you before the price increases, usually by email to the address on your account.
Bundle plans that include games or recipes cost more than the news-only plan. If you already subscribe to the Times' games or recipes separately, bundling them together may cost less than paying for each separately. You can view all current plans and their prices directly on the Times' subscription page.
How to set up and manage your subscription
To start a subscription, go to nytimes.com/subscribe and select the plan you want. You will enter an email address, create a password, and provide payment information (a credit card, debit card, or other payment method the Times accepts). After you complete these steps, your subscription begins when ready, and you can start reading.
Once you have an account, you can manage your subscription by signing in at nytimes.com and going to your account settings. From there, you can view your current plan, see your billing history, update your payment method, or pause or cancel your subscription. If you pause, your subscription stops charging but your account remains active — you can resume it later without losing your saved articles or preferences.
If you want to change plans — for example, from digital-only to a bundle that includes games — you can do that in your account settings as well. The Times will prorate any charges if you upgrade or downgrade mid-cycle, meaning you will pay only for the time you use at each plan level.
What happens if you share your login
The New York Times' terms of service state that each subscription is for personal use by the person who pays for it. Sharing your login with people outside your household violates those terms. The Times has technology that detects when an account is being used from many different locations or devices simultaneously, and it may restrict access or ask you to verify your identity.
If you want multiple people in your household to have access, the Times offers a feature called "Manage my access" that lets you add household members to your account. This feature is available on some plans. You can invite people by email, and they create their own login credentials while sharing the same subscription. Check your account settings to see if this option is available on your plan.
If the Times detects unauthorized sharing, it may require you to change your password or verify your account before you can continue reading. Repeated violations could result in your subscription being suspended or canceled.
Pausing, canceling, or changing your plan
You can pause your subscription at any time through your account settings. When you pause, the Times stops charging your payment method, but your account stays active. You can resume your subscription whenever you want — usually within a few months — without losing your reading history or saved articles. Pausing is useful if you want to take a break without fully canceling.
To cancel your subscription entirely, go to your account settings and select the cancel option. The Times may offer you a discounted rate to stay subscribed, or it may ask why you are canceling. You are not required to accept any offer — you can cancel without providing a reason. Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle, so if you paid for a month, you can read through the end of that month.
If you want to switch to a different plan — for example, from monthly to annual, or from news-only to a bundle — you can make that change in your account settings without canceling. The change takes effect on your next billing date.
Troubleshooting common subscription issues
If you are seeing a paywall message even though you have an active subscription, try signing out and signing back in. Sometimes your browser does not recognize your login. Clear your browser's cookies and cache, then sign in again. If you are using the New York Times app, try closing the app completely and reopening it.
If your payment was declined, check that your card has not expired and that you have sufficient funds. The Times will send you an email if a payment fails. You can update your payment method in your account settings. If the issue persists, contact the Times' customer service through the help section on nytimes.com.
If you forgot your password, go to nytimes.com and click "Sign in," then select "Forgot password?" You will receive an email with a link to reset it. If you do not see the email, check your spam folder. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create your account, contact the Times' customer service for help recovering your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the New York Times for free?
The New York Times allows you to read a limited number of articles per month without a subscription — usually around 5 to 10 articles, though this number varies. Once you reach your limit, you will see a paywall. A subscription removes this limit and gives you unlimited access.
Do I need a subscription to read the New York Times on my phone?
You can read a limited number of articles on the New York Times website using a mobile browser without a subscription, just as you can on a computer. To read unlimited articles on your phone, you need either a subscription or to use the New York Times app, which may offer a different free article limit than the website.
What is the difference between a digital subscription and a print subscription?
A digital subscription gives you access to nytimes.com and the mobile app. A print subscription delivers the physical newspaper to your home. You can have either one alone, or you can combine them — a print subscription with digital access costs more than print alone but less than buying both separately.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my subscription?
The New York Times does not refund unused portions of your subscription. When you cancel, your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle. If you paid for a month and cancel after one week, you do not receive a refund for the remaining three weeks.
How do I know when my subscription will renew?
Your subscription renews on the same day each week, month, or year, depending on your plan. You can see your renewal date in your account settings under "Billing." The Times will charge your payment method on that date. You will receive an email confirmation after each charge.