What a New York Times Family Subscription Covers
A New York Times Family Subscription lets up to six people in your household read the Times on their own devices using separate login accounts, all under one billing account. Each person gets full access to news, recipes, games, audio articles, and the Times's archives — they don't share a single login or see each other's reading history.
The subscription includes the same content as an individual digital subscription: all news sections, the Times's investigative reporting, Opinion pieces, and the daily briefing emails. Games (the crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others) are included. So is access to the Times's recipe database and cooking guides.
You pay one monthly or annual price for all six accounts rather than buying six separate subscriptions. The person who sets up the subscription is the account manager and can add or remove household members at any time.
Key Takeaways
- A Family Subscription covers up to six people, each with their own login and reading history, for one monthly or annual price.
- You set up the subscription through your New York Times account and invite household members by email; they create their own passwords.
- The account manager can add, remove, or pause any member's access from the subscription settings page.
- Family members can read on phones, tablets, computers, and the Times's apps, and their access works across all platforms.
- The subscription costs less per person than buying six individual subscriptions, though the exact price depends on current promotions and your location.
How to Set Up a Family Subscription
Start by going to nytimes.com and signing into your account, or creating one if you don't have one yet. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings." From there, look for "Manage subscription" or "Subscription settings" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you already have an individual subscription or are starting fresh.
If you're upgrading from an individual subscription to a Family plan, the Times will show you the option to switch plans. If you're starting new, you'll choose the Family plan during signup. Enter your payment method and billing address, then confirm your subscription.
Once your subscription is active, go back to Settings and look for "Manage family members" or "Household." Click the button to invite members. The Times will send you a unique invite link or ask you to enter email addresses. Send the link to each person you want to add, or give them the email addresses you entered. They'll receive an invitation email from the Times with instructions to create their own account and password.
Each family member signs up using their own email address and creates their own password. They don't need to enter payment information — the subscription is already paid for. Once they confirm their account, they have full access.
Managing Who Has Access
The account manager (the person who set up the subscription) can see all family members in the subscription settings and can add or remove people at any time. To remove someone, go to Settings, select "Manage family members," find the person's name, and click "Remove." Their access stops when ready.
If a family member moves out or you want to pause their access temporarily without removing them, some versions of the Family plan let you pause an account. Check your subscription settings to see if this option is available. When you pause an account, that person can't read the Times, but you can reactivate them later without sending a new invitation.
If a family member forgets their password, they can reset it using the "Forgot password" link on the Times's login page. They don't need to contact you or the Times — the reset link goes to their email address.
What Devices and Platforms Work
Each family member can read the Times on any device: a phone, tablet, computer, or the New York Times app (available on iOS and Android). They log in with their own email and password on each device. Reading on one device doesn't log them out on another — they can have the Times open on their phone and computer at the same time.
The Times limits how many devices can stream video or audio articles simultaneously from one subscription. Typically, two people can stream at the same time; a third person trying to stream at the same moment will see a message asking them to wait. Reading text articles has no device limit — all six members can read at once.
Offline reading (downloading articles to read without internet) is available in the Times's mobile apps. Each family member can read articles to their own phone or tablet.
Cost and Billing
The New York Times changes its subscription prices and promotions regularly, so the exact cost varies. A Family Subscription typically costs less per person than buying six individual subscriptions, but you should check nytimes.com/subscribe to see the current price in your region.
You can pay monthly or annually. Annual plans usually offer a discount compared to paying month-to-month. The billing date is the same for all six members — you're charged once per month or once per year for the entire household.
The account manager receives all billing emails and statements. If you need to change your payment method or billing address, you do that in your account settings. Pausing or canceling the subscription also stops access for all six members.
Switching Between Individual and Family Plans
If you have an individual subscription and want to upgrade to a Family plan, the Times will credit any remaining time on your individual plan toward the Family plan. You don't lose money for switching mid-billing-cycle. Go to your subscription settings and select the option to change plans.
If you have a Family plan and want to downgrade to an individual subscription, the Times will prorate the cost. You'll pay less for the remainder of your current billing period. After that, you'll be charged only for the individual plan.
Some promotions explore only to new subscriptions, so switching plans might not may have access to you for a current offer. Check the terms before you switch if you're considering a promotional rate.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If a family member can't log in, have them check that they're using the correct email address — it should be the one they used when they created their account. If they still can't log in, they can use the "Forgot password" link to reset it. If that doesn't work, they should clear their browser's cache and cookies, or try logging in on a different browser or device.
If someone is getting a message that the subscription is full or that too many devices are streaming, it usually means the household has hit the simultaneous streaming limit (typically two streams at once). They can wait a few minutes for another member to finish watching or reading, or they can read text articles instead, which don't count toward the streaming limit.
If you're not seeing the Family plan option during signup, it may not be available in your country or region. The Family Subscription is available in the United States and several other countries, but not everywhere. Check nytimes.com to confirm it's available where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can family members see what I'm reading?
No. Each family member has their own account and their own reading history. The account manager can see who is on the subscription, but not what articles each person reads or which sections they visit. Your reading is private.
What happens if someone moves out of the household?
The account manager can remove them from the subscription settings at any time. Their access stops when ready. If they want to keep reading the Times, they would need their own individual subscription.
Can I use a Family Subscription if we don't all live at the same address?
The Times asks that family members live in the same household, but it doesn't verify addresses or require proof. The subscription is designed for people who share a home. If household members travel or are away temporarily, they can still use their accounts from anywhere.
How many people can read the Times at the same time?
All six family members can read text articles simultaneously with no limit. For video and audio streams, typically two people can stream at the same time. A third person trying to stream will see a message to wait or try again.
Can I change my plan if I don't want Family access anymore?
Yes. You can downgrade to an individual subscription at any time through your subscription settings. The Times will prorate the cost for the remainder of your billing period. After that, only your account will have access to the Times.