What you get with each New York Times plan

The New York Times offers three main subscription tiers: a basic digital plan, a bundle that adds the print edition, and a bundle that includes games and the audio app. The digital-only plan gives you access to articles, opinion pieces, and multimedia on nytimes.com and the Times mobile app. The print + digital bundle delivers the physical newspaper to your home on days you choose, plus everything in the digital plan. The bundle with games and audio adds access to the Times Games app (crosswords, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others) and the Times Audio app, which reads articles aloud.

Each plan renews on a monthly or annual cycle, depending on which you choose at signup. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on the Times website. The Times also offers a student plan at a reduced rate for people with a valid .edu email address.

Key Takeaways

  • The digital plan covers articles and multimedia on the website and app, while print + digital adds the physical newspaper delivered to your home.
  • A third option bundles digital access with the Games app and Audio app, which reads articles aloud to you.
  • Monthly and annual payment options are available for each plan, with annual plans costing less per month when divided across twelve months.
  • Students with a .edu email address can subscribe at a lower rate than standard plans.
  • You can pause or cancel your subscription through your account settings without contacting customer service.

Digital-only plan details

The digital plan is the entry point to New York Times content. It includes unlimited access to all articles across news, opinion, business, technology, sports, and other sections. You can read on nytimes.com using a web browser or read the New York Times mobile app for iOS or Android. The app lets you save articles to read later, set up notifications for breaking news in topics you follow, and access your reading history across devices.

The digital plan does not include the print newspaper, the Games app, or the Audio app. If you want to read the physical paper, you would need to upgrade to a print bundle. The digital plan is the least expensive option and renews monthly or annually depending on your choice at signup.

Print and digital bundle

The print + digital bundle combines the full digital plan with delivery of the physical New York Times newspaper. When you sign up, you choose which days you want the paper delivered—you can select all seven days, weekdays only, weekends only, or any custom combination. Delivery is included in the subscription price; there is no separate delivery fee. The physical paper arrives in the morning on the days you choose, and you keep digital access to everything in the digital-only plan.

Print delivery is available in most U.S. metropolitan areas and some suburban regions. If you live outside a delivery zone, the Times will tell you during signup. The print + digital bundle costs more than digital alone, but less per month if you pay annually instead of monthly.

Games and audio bundle

The bundle that includes the Games app and Audio app adds two features to your digital subscription. The Games app contains the daily crossword puzzle (which you can solve on your phone, tablet, or computer), Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and other word games. New puzzles appear each day, and you can access the archive of past puzzles going back years. The Audio app reads New York Times articles aloud in a human voice, which lets you consume news while commuting, exercising, or doing other tasks.

This bundle does not include the print newspaper. If you want both the print edition and the games and audio features, you would need to purchase the print + digital bundle and add the games and audio separately, or contact the Times to discuss custom options. The games and audio bundle costs more than digital alone but less than the print + digital bundle.

Monthly versus annual payment

Every plan can be paid monthly or annually. Monthly plans renew on the same date each month. Annual plans renew on the same date each year and cost less per month when you divide the total by twelve. For example, if an annual digital plan costs $120 per year, that works out to $10 per month, whereas the monthly plan might cost $15 per month. The difference adds up over time, so annual payment saves money if you plan to stay subscribed for the full year.

You can switch from monthly to annual (or vice versa) by going to your account settings on nytimes.com and changing your billing cycle. The change takes effect at your next renewal date. If you switch from monthly to annual mid-cycle, the Times will prorate the cost based on the time remaining on your current plan.

Student pricing and special offers

The New York Times offers a student plan at a reduced rate for people with a valid college or university email address ending in .edu. To sign up for the student plan, you provide your .edu email during signup, and the Times verifies it through a third-party service. The student plan includes digital access only and renews monthly. Once you graduate or your .edu email expires, you can continue your subscription at the standard rate or cancel.

The Times occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers, such as a discounted first month or first year. These offers appear on the signup page and vary by time of year. Existing subscribers do not receive these promotional rates when they renew; promotional pricing applies only to new subscriptions or to accounts that have been inactive for a certain period.

How to manage your subscription

Once you have an active subscription, you manage it through your account on nytimes.com. Log in, go to your account settings, and select "Subscription" to see your current plan, renewal date, and payment method. From this page you can pause your subscription for up to four weeks, which temporarily stops billing without canceling your account. When the pause ends, your subscription resumes automatically on the date you chose.

You can also cancel your subscription from the same page. The Times will ask why you are canceling and may offer a discounted rate to keep you subscribed, but you can proceed with cancellation if you choose. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you keep access through that date. If you cancel mid-cycle and want when ready access to stop, contact New York Times customer service to request a refund for the unused portion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my New York Times login with family members?

The Times allows you to share your login credentials with people in your household. However, the Times has terms of service that prohibit sharing your account with people outside your home. If the Times detects unusual access patterns from different locations, it may ask you to verify your account or restrict access. For multiple people in different households, each person would need their own subscription.

What happens if I pause my subscription?

Pausing stops your billing for up to four weeks and temporarily suspends your access to Times content. When the pause period ends, your subscription resumes automatically and billing restarts. You can pause multiple times, but each pause lasts a maximum of four weeks. If you need to stop for longer than four weeks, canceling and resubscribing later may be simpler.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you keep access through that date and do not receive a refund for the unused time. If you want your subscription to stop when ready and you are within the first few days of a billing cycle, contact New York Times customer service to request a refund for the unused portion. Refund policies can vary, so ask when you contact them.

Can I change my plan after I subscribe?

Yes. Log into your account, go to your subscription settings, and select the option to change your plan. You can upgrade from digital to a bundle or downgrade from a bundle to digital. Changes take effect at your next renewal date. If you upgrade mid-cycle, the Times will prorate the cost difference and charge you the additional amount when ready.

Is there a family plan that covers multiple people?

The New York Times does not currently offer a family plan that covers multiple accounts under one subscription. Each person needs their own subscription. However, you can share your login with people in your household, though this violates the terms of service if used outside your home.