What a New York Times Family Subscription Covers
A New York Times Family Subscription lets up to six household members read the Times on their own devices under one account. Each person gets their own login, their own reading history, and their own customized homepage — the account doesn't force everyone to see the same articles or recommendations. Everyone in the household can use the app, the website, and the games (the daily crossword, Spelling Bee, and Letter Boxed) at the same time.
The subscription includes access to all Times reporting: news, opinion, business, sports, arts, and the archives going back decades. It does not include the Times Games subscription as a separate product — those games come with the news subscription. If someone in your household wants the Games bundle alone (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others), that's a different, cheaper subscription.
Key Takeaways
- A Family Subscription costs more than a single-person plan but less per person than buying individual subscriptions, and covers up to six household members.
- Each household member gets their own login and can read on their own device at the same time, with personalized recommendations and reading history.
- The price varies depending on whether you pay monthly or annually, and the Times often runs promotional rates for new subscribers.
- You manage who has access through your account settings, and you can remove or add household members whenever you need to.
- A Family Subscription does not include the Times Games bundle as a separate product — games are included with the news subscription.
Pricing and Payment Options
The New York Times does not publish a single fixed price for the Family Subscription. The cost depends on whether you choose to pay monthly or annually, and the Times regularly offers promotional rates to new subscribers that differ from the standard price. A new subscriber might see a rate significantly lower than someone who has had the subscription for years.
Monthly plans are more expensive per month than annual plans, but you can cancel at any time. Annual plans require paying for the full year upfront but cost less per month when you divide the total by 12. The Times also runs limited-time offers — sometimes a few months at a reduced rate, sometimes a discount on the first year. These promotions change frequently and are not the same for everyone.
You can check the current price and any active promotions by visiting the Times subscription page directly. The price you see during signup is the price you'll pay; there are no hidden fees added later.
Setting Up and Managing Household Members
When you create a Family Subscription, you start with your own account. To add household members, you go to your account settings and invite them by email. They receive an invitation, accept it, and create their own login. They don't need to pay anything — they're covered under your subscription.
You can add or remove household members at any time through your account settings. If someone moves out or no longer needs access, you remove them from the household. The system allows up to six people total, including you. There's no waiting period or penalty for changing who's in the household.
The Times defines "household" as people who live at the same address. The system doesn't verify addresses, but the subscription terms require that members actually live together. Sharing a subscription with people who don't live in your home violates the terms of service.
How to Start a Family Subscription
Go to nytimes.com/subscription and select the Family plan. You'll see the current price and any promotions available to you. Enter your email address and create a password, then choose your payment method and billing cycle (monthly or annual). After you complete payment, your subscription is active immediately.
You can start reading right away on the website or download the New York Times app on your phone or tablet. Once your subscription is set up, go to your account settings to invite household members. Send them an email invitation, and they can accept and create their own login.
Canceling or Changing Your Subscription
You can cancel your Family Subscription at any time through your account settings. If you're on a monthly plan, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle — you keep access until then. If you're on an annual plan, you can cancel immediately, but you don't receive a refund for the unused portion of the year.
If you want to downgrade to a single-person subscription instead of canceling entirely, you can make that change in your account settings. The price difference is calculated and applied to your next billing date. You can also pause your subscription for up to three months if you want a temporary break without canceling.
Comparing Family, Individual, and Games-Only Subscriptions
The New York Times offers three main subscription types. The individual subscription covers one person and costs less per month than the Family plan, but you can't share it with household members. The Family subscription covers up to six people and costs more overall but less per person if you divide it among everyone using it. The Games-only subscription gives you access to the daily crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and other games, but not to news articles — it's the cheapest option if you only want the games.
If you have a Family Subscription and one household member only wants the games, they still get full news access as part of your family plan. The Games-only subscription makes sense only if you're a single person who doesn't want news, or if you want a second games subscription for a different device.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If a household member isn't receiving their invitation email, check that you entered their email address correctly. Ask them to check their spam folder, or resend the invitation from your account settings. If they still don't receive it after 24 hours, try inviting them again with a different email address if they have one.
If you're seeing a paywall even though you have an active subscription, try logging out and logging back in. Clear your browser cache or try a different browser. If you're using the app, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. If the problem persists, contact the Times customer service through your account settings — they can troubleshoot device-specific issues.
If you've reached the six-member limit and want to add someone else, you'll need to remove a current household member first. You can do this in your account settings at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my New York Times login with someone who doesn't live with me?
No. The Family Subscription is designed for people who live at the same address. Sharing with people outside your household violates the terms of service. If the Times detects this, they may suspend or cancel your subscription.
What happens to my household members' reading history if I remove them?
Their reading history and personalized recommendations are tied to their login. If you remove them from the household, they lose access to the subscription, but their account data isn't deleted. If you add them back later, their history is still there.
Can I use my Family Subscription on more than one device at the same time?
Yes. Each household member can read on their own device simultaneously. You can also use your own login on multiple devices — phone, tablet, and computer — at the same time. The limit is on the number of people, not the number of devices.
Do I have to pay extra for the New York Times games if I have a Family Subscription?
No. Games are included with the news subscription at no extra cost. All six household members can play the daily crossword, Spelling Bee, and other games included with the plan.
What's the difference between monthly and annual billing?
Monthly billing costs more per month but lets you cancel anytime without penalty. Annual billing costs less per month overall but requires paying for the full year upfront, and you don't get a refund if you cancel early. Choose monthly if you're unsure about committing for a year, or annual if you know you'll use it long-term.