What you get with a New York Times digital subscription
A New York Times digital subscription gives you unlimited access to articles, opinion pieces, recipes, games, and audio journalism on nytimes.com and the New York Times mobile app. The subscription removes the paywall that limits how many articles you can read per month without paying. You also get access to the Times's archives going back decades, which is useful if you're researching a topic or looking for older reporting.
The Times offers different subscription tiers at different price points. The basic digital subscription is the most common option and costs less than the bundle that includes both digital and print delivery. There's also a Games-only subscription if you want access to the crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and other puzzles without paying for news content. Pricing varies depending on whether you're a new subscriber, whether you use a promotional offer, and which plan you choose.
Key Takeaways
- A digital subscription removes the article limit and gives you access to all news, opinion, recipes, games, and audio content on the Times's website and app.
- The Times charges different prices for new subscribers versus existing ones, and promotional rates are common but temporary.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings without penalty.
- If you have a print subscription, you may already have digital access included, so check your account before buying a separate digital plan.
- The Times offers a Games-only subscription as a separate, cheaper option if you want puzzles but not news.
Pricing and promotional offers
New York Times digital subscription pricing changes frequently and depends on what the Times is currently offering. New subscribers often see introductory rates that are significantly lower than the standard price, sometimes as low as $1 per week for the first few months. After the promotional period ends, the price increases to the regular rate, which the Times adjusts periodically.
The Times does not publicly list a single "regular price" because it varies by region, by how you sign up, and by current promotions. If you sign up through nytimes.com directly, you may see a different offer than if you sign up through an app or through a third-party platform. Check the terms of any offer before you complete the purchase, because they will tell you what the price will be after the promotional period ends.
The Games-only subscription costs less than the full digital subscription and does not include access to news articles. If you already have a digital news subscription, you do not need to buy Games separately — games are included.
How to start a subscription
To start a New York Times digital subscription, go to nytimes.com and look for the subscription offer displayed on the homepage or in the paywall message when you hit your article limit. Click through to the sign-up page, where you'll see the current promotional offer and what the price will be after the promotion ends. You'll need to create an account with an email address and password, then enter a payment method.
You can also sign up through the New York Times mobile app on iOS or Android. The sign-up process is similar, though the app may show you a different promotional offer than the website. If you sign up through the app, your subscription is tied to your app account, not to a separate Times account, so keep track of which method you used.
After you complete the purchase, you'll have immediate access to all digital content. You can log in on multiple devices — the Times allows you to read on your phone, tablet, and computer at the same time.
Managing your subscription and payment method
Once you have a subscription, you can manage it by logging into your account on nytimes.com and going to the Account settings or Subscription section. There you can view your current plan, see when your next billing date is, update your payment method, and pause or cancel your subscription.
If you want to pause your subscription temporarily rather than cancel it, the Times offers a pause option that stops billing for a set period — usually up to three months — and then resumes automatically. This is useful if you know you'll want the subscription again later but don't need it right now.
If you cancel, your access ends on the last day of your billing cycle. You won't be charged again, and you can restart your subscription at any time. When you restart, you may see a different promotional offer than you saw the first time.
Print plus digital bundles
The New York Times also sells a bundle that includes both print delivery and digital access. This costs more than the digital-only subscription but less than buying print and digital separately. Print delivery is available in certain areas, so check whether your address qualifies before you purchase.
If you already have a print subscription, your account may include digital access at no extra charge. Log into your account to check whether digital is already active. If it is, you don't need to buy a separate digital subscription.
What happens if you share your login
The New York Times subscription terms allow you to use your account on multiple devices that you own, but they do not allow you to share your login with people outside your household. The Times has stated that it will take action against accounts that share credentials widely, though the company has not detailed exactly what that action looks like or how they detect sharing.
If you want multiple people in your household to have access, the Times offers a Home account option that lets you add household members to your subscription. This costs more than a single subscription but allows each person to have their own login and reading history. Check your account settings to see whether Home is available in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the New York Times without a subscription?
Yes, but with limits. The Times allows you to read a certain number of articles per month without paying — usually around five to ten, depending on how you access the site. Once you hit that limit, you'll see a paywall asking you to subscribe. Signing up for the Times's email newsletters does not remove the paywall.
What's the difference between the digital subscription and the print subscription?
The digital subscription gives you access to nytimes.com and the mobile app. The print subscription delivers the physical newspaper to your address. You can buy either one separately, or buy both together as a bundle. Print delivery is not available everywhere.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. You can cancel through your account settings at any time, and your access will end at the end of your current billing cycle. You won't be charged again after you cancel. If you change your mind, you can restart your subscription later, though you may see a different promotional offer.
Does my print subscription include digital access?
It may. Log into your New York Times account and check your subscription details. If digital access is included, it will be listed there. If it's not included and you want it, you can add a digital subscription to your account.
Can I use my subscription on more than one device?
Yes. You can log in on your phone, tablet, and computer at the same time. However, the Times does not allow you to share your login with people outside your household. If you want multiple household members to have separate logins, look into the Home account option.