What the New York Times Games subscription includes
The New York Times Games subscription gives you unlimited access to the Times's puzzle collection through a single paid account. You get the daily crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, Waffle, Wordle, and the archive of past puzzles going back years. The subscription costs $6.99 per month or $39.99 per year when you pay annually.
You can play on any device — phone, tablet, or computer — and your progress syncs across them. If you already subscribe to the New York Times's news section, you do not need a separate Games subscription; games are included in the full digital subscription, which costs $17 per month or $170 per year.
The Games subscription does not include access to the Times's news articles, recipes, or other sections. It is puzzles only. If you want both news and games, you need the full digital subscription or the bundle that includes both news and games.
Key Takeaways
- The Games-only subscription costs $6.99 per month or $39.99 per year and includes all daily puzzles and the archive.
- Games are already included if you pay for the Times's full digital news subscription, so check what you already have before buying.
- You can play on phone, tablet, or computer, and your scores and streaks follow you across devices.
- The subscription covers puzzles only — not news, recipes, or other Times content.
How to start a Games subscription
Go to nytimes.com/games and click the button to subscribe. You will be asked to create or sign into a New York Times account. If you already have one from reading the news or using other Times services, use that account — your Games subscription will attach to it.
You will enter a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). The Times will charge you immediately for the first month or year, depending on which plan you chose. You can then start playing right away on any device where you sign in with that account.
If you want to switch from monthly to annual billing later, or cancel, you can do that in your account settings under "Subscriptions" at nytimes.com. Changes take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.
Puzzles included in the subscription
The daily crossword is the main draw for most subscribers. The Times publishes a new one every day, and the difficulty increases from Monday (easiest) to Sunday (hardest). You can solve it on the website or in the mobile app, and the Times tracks your solve time and whether you needed hints.
Spelling Bee asks you to make words from seven letters arranged in a honeycomb. You must use the center letter in every word, and there is one word that uses all seven — the "pangram." Letter Boxed is a word game played on a grid where you connect adjacent letters to form words. Waffle is a five-by-five grid where you fill in words across and down, like a crossword but with all squares filled at once.
Wordle, which the Times acquired in 2022, is the six-guess word game that became a global phenomenon. You get one new Wordle puzzle per day. The archive of past Wordles is available to subscribers, so you can play older puzzles if you want to catch up or replay favorites.
The subscription also includes access to the full archive of past crosswords, Spelling Bees, and other games going back years. You can search by date or difficulty and solve them at your own pace.
Difference between Games-only and full digital subscription
| Feature | Games Only ($6.99/month) | Full Digital ($17/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Daily puzzles and archive | Yes | Yes |
| News articles | No | Yes |
| Recipes and cooking content | No | Yes |
| Wirecutter reviews | No | Yes |
| Audio articles | No | Yes |
If you already pay for the Times's full digital subscription, you already have Games included. There is no reason to buy a separate Games subscription. Check your account at nytimes.com/account to see what you currently have.
Payment and billing details
Monthly billing charges you $6.99 on the same day each month. Annual billing charges you $39.99 once per year, which works out to about $3.33 per month. The Times often runs promotional rates for new subscribers — you might see offers like the first month for $1 or three months for $1. These promotions apply only to new accounts and typically convert to the regular price after the promotional period ends.
You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access through the end of that billing period. If you cancel mid-year on an annual plan, the Times does not refund the unused portion — you keep access through the end of that year.
The Times accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as PayPal. If your payment method fails, the Times will attempt to charge it again a few days later. If it fails a second time, your subscription will be paused until you update your payment information.
Playing across devices and syncing progress
Once you sign into your New York Times account on any device, your puzzle progress syncs automatically. If you start the daily crossword on your phone during your commute, you can finish it on your computer at home, and the Times will remember where you left off and how much time you have spent.
Your statistics — solve times, streaks, and completion history — are stored in your account and visible on any device. The Wordle streak, for example, shows how many consecutive days you have solved the puzzle, and this number follows you whether you play on phone or web.
You do not need to download an app to play; you can use the website on any browser. The Times also offers native apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android, which some people prefer because they work offline and send notifications when new puzzles are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Games subscription if I already subscribe to the Times for news?
No. Games are included in the full digital subscription. Check your account at nytimes.com/account to confirm what you have. If you see "All Access" or "Digital" listed, you already have Games.
Can I play Wordle for free without a subscription?
Yes. The New York Times offers Wordle for free at nytimes.com/wordle. You get one puzzle per day. A Games subscription lets you play the archive of past Wordles, but the daily puzzle is free to everyone.
What happens to my subscription if I don't use it for a month?
Your subscription stays active and you keep paying. The Times does not pause or cancel subscriptions automatically if you stop playing. You must cancel manually through your account settings if you no longer want to be charged.
Can I share my Games subscription with family members?
The subscription is tied to one New York Times account. Other people can create their own accounts and buy their own subscriptions. The Times does not offer family plans for Games alone, though the full digital subscription may have family options depending on your region.
Is there a way to try Games before paying?
You can play one free puzzle per day without a subscription — usually the daily crossword. To play the full archive or multiple daily puzzles, you need a subscription. The Times sometimes offers a promotional rate for new subscribers, such as the first month for $1.