What the San Francisco Chronicle subscription includes
The San Francisco Chronicle offers a digital subscription that gives you access to news, investigations, columns, and archives on sfchronicle.com and through its mobile app. The subscription removes the paywall that limits how many articles you can read each month without paying. You read on any device — phone, tablet, or computer — and can save articles to read later.
The Chronicle also sells a print edition delivered to your home, either daily or on weekends only. Some readers combine both: a digital subscription for breaking news and a print subscription for the physical newspaper. The two subscriptions are separate, so you choose which one fits how you read.
Digital access includes the Chronicle's archives going back decades, letting you search past coverage. You also get access to the Chronicle's newsletters — email digests on topics like local politics, food, and real estate — though some newsletters are free to non-subscribers as well.
Key Takeaways
- A digital subscription removes the article limit on sfchronicle.com and gives you access on the mobile app and all your devices.
- Print subscriptions are separate from digital and can be daily delivery, weekend-only, or both.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on the Chronicle website.
- The Chronicle offers discounted rates for new subscribers, though the price after the introductory period varies by subscription type.
- If you have trouble logging in or accessing your subscription, the Chronicle's customer service can reset your account or resend your login details.
How to start a digital subscription
Go to sfchronicle.com and look for the "Subscribe" button, usually at the top right of the page. Click it and you will see the available subscription plans with their current prices. The Chronicle typically offers a discounted introductory rate for the first few months, then a regular monthly or annual price after that.
You will need to enter your email address, create a password, and provide a payment method — a credit card or debit card. The Chronicle will charge your card on the date you choose, and you can change that date or your payment method anytime in your account settings. After you complete the purchase, you can log in when ready and start reading.
If you already have a Chronicle account from signing up for a free newsletter or creating a login before, you can use that same email and password. The system will recognize you and let you add the subscription to your existing account rather than creating a duplicate.
Print subscription options and delivery
The Chronicle delivers the print newspaper to homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can choose daily delivery (Monday through Sunday), weekend-only delivery (Saturday and Sunday), or Sunday-only delivery. Delivery days and availability depend on your zip code — some areas receive all options, while others may have limited choices.
To start a print subscription, visit sfchronicle.com/subscribe or call the Chronicle's customer service line. You will need to provide your delivery address and choose which days you want the paper. The Chronicle will confirm which delivery options are available for your location before you pay.
Print subscriptions are billed separately from digital subscriptions. You can have one, the other, or both. If you have both, you will see two separate charges on your credit card statement — one for digital and one for print.
Managing your subscription and payment information
Log into your account on sfchronicle.com by clicking "Sign In" at the top of the page. Enter your email and password. Once you are logged in, click on your account name or profile icon and select "Account Settings" or "Subscription" (the exact wording varies). From there you can see your current subscription type, your next billing date, and your payment method.
To change your payment method, select "Billing" or "Payment Method" in your account settings and enter new card details. To change your billing date, look for "Billing Cycle" or "Billing Date" and select a new day of the month. To pause your subscription temporarily, look for "Pause Subscription" — this stops charges without canceling your account, and you can restart it later.
If you want to cancel, go to your account settings and select "Cancel Subscription." The Chronicle will ask why you are canceling and may offer you a discounted rate to stay. If you confirm the cancellation, your access will end at the end of your current billing period, and you will not be charged again.
Troubleshooting login and access problems
If you cannot log in, first check that you are using the correct email address. The Chronicle account is tied to the email you provided when you signed up, not your name. If you are not sure which email you used, go to sfchronicle.com and click "Sign In," then select "Forgot Password?" Enter the email address you think you used, and the Chronicle will send you a password reset link.
If you do not receive the password reset email, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email providers filter it by mistake. If it is not there, try a different email address you may have used. If you still cannot find your account, contact the Chronicle's customer service team through the website or by phone, and they can look up your account by name and address.
If you are logged in but see a paywall message saying you have hit your article limit, your subscription may not have processed correctly. Log out completely, close your browser, and log back in. If the paywall still appears, contact customer service — they can check whether your subscription is active and resend your login details if needed.
Comparing digital and print subscriptions
| Feature | Digital Subscription | Print Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Access to sfchronicle.com | Yes, unlimited articles | No |
| Mobile app access | Yes | No |
| Physical newspaper delivery | No | Yes, to your address |
| Archive access | Yes | No |
| Newsletters | Yes | No |
| Can pause or cancel anytime | Yes | Yes |
Digital and print serve different reading habits. Digital is faster for breaking news and works on any device, while print offers a full newspaper experience you can read without a screen. Many readers use digital for weekday news and print for a weekend read. You can change your subscription type or add a second subscription at any time through your account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the Chronicle on my phone without a subscription?
You can read a limited number of articles each month without a subscription — the Chronicle allows a certain number of free articles before the paywall appears. Once you hit that limit, you need a digital subscription to keep reading. A subscription removes that limit entirely.
What happens to my subscription if I move out of the Bay Area?
A digital subscription works anywhere — you can read sfchronicle.com and use the app from any location. A print subscription requires a delivery address in the Bay Area. If you move outside the delivery zone, you can cancel the print subscription and keep the digital one, or cancel both.
Can I share my login with family members?
Your subscription is for your personal use. Sharing your login with others violates the Chronicle's terms of service. If multiple people in your household want access, contact the Chronicle's customer service to ask about household or family plans, which may be available.
How do I change my subscription from monthly to annual or vice versa?
Log into your account settings and look for "Subscription Plan" or "Billing Frequency." You should be able to switch between monthly and annual billing. The Chronicle will prorate any charges if you switch mid-cycle. If you do not see this option, contact customer service and they can make the change for you.
What if I want to cancel but keep reading the Chronicle?
After you cancel, you can still read the free articles each month before hitting the paywall. You can also sign up for the Chronicle's free newsletters to get news delivered to your email. If you want full access again later, you can restart your subscription anytime.