New York Times subscription prices and what each tier includes
The New York Times offers four subscription tiers, each with a different price and set of features. The basic digital subscription costs $17 per month (or $170 per year if you pay annually). This gives you access to articles on the website and the mobile app, plus the daily email briefing and some newsletters.
The All Access subscription costs $33 per month ($330 per year) and adds the print newspaper delivered to your home, plus access to the New York Times Games (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others). The News subscription is $15 per month and includes only digital access — no games, no print. The Games-only subscription is $10 per month if you want just the puzzles without news articles.
Prices vary slightly by location and change periodically. New subscribers often see introductory rates for the first few months — typically $1 per week for the first four weeks, then the regular price. These promotional rates are not may provide and depend on when you sign up and which tier you choose.
Key Takeaways
- The most common digital subscription is $17 per month, with an annual option at $170 per year that saves you about $34 if you commit upfront.
- Print delivery plus digital access (All Access) costs $33 per month and is only available in certain areas of New York and a few other cities.
- New subscribers usually get an introductory rate of $1 per week for the first month, after which the regular monthly price begins.
- You can cancel anytime without penalty, though you will lose access to articles and games immediately after your final billing date.
- Student discounts and group rates exist but are not widely advertised — you must contact the New York Times directly to ask about them.
How to start and what happens after you sign up
To start a subscription, go to nytimes.com and click the subscribe button. You will choose a tier, enter payment information (credit card, debit card, or PayPal), and create or log into your New York Times account. The system will confirm your introductory rate and the date your regular price begins.
After you sign up, you can read articles immediately on the website and app. If you chose All Access, print delivery begins within a few days in most cases, though it can take up to two weeks depending on your address. You will receive a confirmation email with your subscription details and instructions for managing your account.
Your subscription renews automatically on the same day each month (or year, if you chose annual billing). You can view your renewal date and payment method in your account settings under "Manage my account." The New York Times sends a reminder email a few days before each renewal.
Introductory rates and promotional offers
New subscribers typically see an introductory offer of $1 per week for four weeks, then the regular monthly price. Some offers are $1 per month for the first three months. These rates are not the same for everyone — the offer you see depends on your location, device, and when you visit the site.
The New York Times does not publish a list of current promotions. If you do not see an introductory rate when you start to sign up, you can try clearing your browser cookies and visiting the site again, or try from a different device. You can also contact the New York Times customer service to ask if a promotion is available for your account.
Introductory rates apply only to new subscribers. If you had a subscription in the past and cancelled, you may not be may be able to access for the promotional price when you return. The company reserves the right to limit promotional offers to one per person or household.
Cancelling your subscription and what you lose
You can cancel anytime through your account settings without calling or emailing. Go to "Manage my account," select "Subscription," and click "Cancel subscription." You will be asked why you are cancelling and offered a discounted rate to stay. If you proceed, your access ends on your next billing date — you do not get a refund for the current month.
After cancellation, you lose access to all articles, games, and newsletters immediately after your final billing date. You can still read the limited number of free articles per month that the New York Times allows to non-subscribers. If you saved articles to read later, those saved articles become inaccessible once your subscription ends.
If you cancel and want to resubscribe later, you will be treated as a new subscriber and may see a different introductory offer than you received the first time. There is no penalty for cancelling and returning.
Payment methods and billing cycles
The New York Times accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and PayPal. You can update your payment method in your account settings at any time. If a payment fails, the company will attempt to charge your card again over the next few days. If it fails a second time, your subscription is paused until you update your payment information.
You can choose to pay monthly or annually. Monthly billing charges you on the same day each month. Annual billing charges you once per year and typically costs less than paying month-to-month — for example, the digital subscription is $170 per year versus $17 per month ($204 per year). You can switch between monthly and annual billing in your account settings, though the change takes effect at your next renewal date.
The New York Times does not offer refunds for partial months. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your next billing date, but you do not receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of the month.
Differences between the digital and print subscriptions
The digital subscription ($17 per month) includes the website, mobile app, email newsletters, and the Games app. You can read on any device and download articles to read offline. The print subscription does not exist as a standalone option — you must buy All Access ($33 per month) to get the printed newspaper.
All Access includes everything in the digital subscription plus the printed newspaper delivered to your home. Print delivery is available only in parts of New York City, the surrounding suburbs, and a few other metropolitan areas. If you live outside these zones, you cannot order print delivery, even if you want to pay for it.
The Games-only subscription ($10 per month) gives you access to the daily crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and other puzzles, but not to news articles. This tier is useful if you already read the New York Times for free through a library or employer and only want the games.
Student discounts and group rates
The New York Times offers a student discount, but it is not promoted on the main website. To ask about student pricing, you must contact the New York Times customer service directly through the help center or by phone. The discount typically reduces the monthly rate, though the exact amount varies.
Some employers and universities include a New York Times subscription as a benefit. Check with your employer's benefits office or your school's library to see if you have access through them. If you do, you can log in with your work or school email and read for free without paying separately.
Group rates for organizations and businesses are available but require contacting the New York Times sales team directly. There is no self-service option to purchase a group subscription online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my New York Times login with family members?
The terms of service say your account is for your personal use only and should not be shared. However, the New York Times does not actively monitor or prevent sharing within a household. If you want multiple people in your home to have separate accounts, you can purchase additional subscriptions at the regular rate, or ask about a family plan when you contact customer service.
What happens if I don't use my subscription for a while?
Your subscription continues to renew and charge you each month or year, even if you do not log in. The New York Times does not pause or cancel subscriptions for inactivity. You must manually cancel through your account settings if you want to stop paying.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. You keep access until your next billing date, but you do not receive a refund for the unused portion of the month. If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your renewal date is the 30th, you have access for the remaining 15 days but no money back.
Can I change my subscription tier after I sign up?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade through your account settings under "Manage my account." Changes take effect at your next renewal date. If you upgrade mid-month, you may be charged a prorated amount for the difference. If you downgrade, the lower price applies at your next renewal.
Is there a free trial?
The New York Times does not offer a traditional free trial. Instead, new subscribers see an introductory rate (usually $1 per week for four weeks) that lets you test the service at a low cost before the regular price begins. After the introductory period ends, you are charged the full monthly or annual rate unless you cancel.