The New York Times offers four main subscription tiers
The New York Times sells subscriptions directly through its website and app. The four options are: digital-only (web and app access), print-only (newspaper delivery), print + digital (both together), and a bundle that adds access to games, cooking recipes, and other sections. Each tier costs differently depending on your location and whether you are a new or returning subscriber.
Pricing changes regularly and varies by region. New subscribers typically see introductory rates for the first few months, then the price moves to the standard rate. The Times also runs promotional offers throughout the year, particularly around holidays and major news events.
You can start, pause, or cancel a subscription at any time through your account settings online. The Times does not lock you into a contract, though pausing and restarting may affect what introductory rate you see next.
Key Takeaways
- Digital-only subscriptions give you access to the website and mobile app, and cost less than print or bundled options.
- Print subscriptions include home delivery of the newspaper and typically cost more than digital alone, with pricing based on your zip code.
- Print + digital bundles combine both delivery and online access at a price lower than buying each separately.
- New subscriber rates are lower than renewal rates, and the Times regularly offers limited-time discounts you can view on the subscription page.
- You manage your subscription through your account online and can change, pause, or stop it without penalty.
Digital-only subscription: web and app access
A digital-only subscription lets you read the Times on nytimes.com and through the New York Times mobile app for iPhone and Android. You get access to all sections: news, opinion, business, sports, arts, and lifestyle. You can also read the daily crossword puzzle and access the recipe database.
Digital subscriptions do not include the printed newspaper or the games bundle. If you want those, you would need to add them separately or choose a different tier. The digital rate is the lowest-cost option and is what most new subscribers choose.
You can read a limited number of articles per month without a subscription (usually around 5 to 10 articles), so you may want to test the paywall before committing. Once you subscribe, the paywall disappears entirely.
Print subscription: newspaper delivery to your home
A print-only subscription delivers the physical newspaper to your address on the days it publishes. The Times publishes seven days a week, and your delivery schedule depends on which days you choose. You can select daily delivery, weekends only, or any combination.
Print subscription pricing depends on your zip code because delivery costs vary by region. Urban areas typically have lower per-copy costs than rural areas. You can enter your zip code on the subscription page to see the exact price for your location.
Print subscribers do not automatically get digital access. If you want both, you need to purchase a print + digital bundle instead. Print-only subscriptions are less common now, as most readers choose digital or the bundle.
Print + digital bundle: newspaper and online access together
The print + digital bundle combines home delivery of the newspaper with full access to the website and app. This is usually cheaper than buying a print subscription and a digital subscription separately — the Times discounts the combined price.
Like print-only subscriptions, the price varies by zip code because of delivery costs. You choose which days you want the newspaper delivered, and you get unlimited online access at the same time. This option works well for readers who want both the physical paper and the convenience of reading on their phone or computer.
If you already have a digital subscription and want to add print delivery, you can upgrade your existing account rather than starting over. The Times will prorate the cost based on your remaining subscription time.
Games, cooking, and other add-ons
The Times offers a bundle that includes games (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others), access to the full recipe database with cooking features, and other premium sections. This bundle can be purchased alone or added to any subscription tier.
If you already have a digital subscription, you can add the games and cooking bundle without restarting your subscription. The cost is separate from your base subscription. Some readers purchase only the games bundle without a news subscription, though access to some games requires a news subscription as well.
The Times also offers a student discount on digital subscriptions through UNiDAYS, a student verification service. If you are enrolled in a college or university, you can verify your status and receive a reduced rate.
How to manage your subscription online
Once you create a New York Times account and purchase a subscription, you can log in at nytimes.com and go to your account settings to manage everything. From there you can view your current plan, see your billing date, update your payment method, and change or cancel your subscription.
If you want to pause your subscription temporarily instead of canceling, the Times offers a pause option that holds your subscription for up to four weeks. When you resume, you pick up where you left off without losing your saved articles or preferences.
If you cancel, you lose access immediately. The Times does not offer refunds for unused time in the current billing period, but you can restart a subscription at any time. Restarting may show you a new introductory rate if enough time has passed since you canceled.
Introductory rates and promotional offers
New subscribers almost always see a lower introductory rate for the first few months — often $1 to $4 per week for the first four to twelve weeks, depending on the current promotion. After the introductory period ends, your rate moves to the standard renewal price, which is higher.
The Times runs different promotions at different times of year. You can see what offer is currently available by visiting the subscription page. The site shows you the introductory rate, how long it lasts, and what the renewal rate will be before you enter your payment information.
If you have canceled before and want to resubscribe, you may see a "win-back" offer designed to bring you back — sometimes lower than the standard new subscriber rate. These offers are not may provide and depend on how long ago you canceled and how often you canceled in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my New York Times login with family members?
The Times allows you to add up to five household members to your account through a feature called "Manage Your Household." Each person gets their own login and personalized reading experience. This feature is included with most subscriptions at no extra cost.
What happens to my subscription if I move to a different state?
If you have a print subscription, your rate may change because delivery costs vary by zip code. Log into your account and update your address, and the Times will recalculate your price. Digital-only subscriptions are not affected by location changes.
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
The Times does not refund unused time in your current billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your billing date is the 1st, you lose access immediately but are not charged again. Your next billing date never comes.
Do I need a subscription to read the Times on social media or through Apple News?
The Times publishes some articles for free on social media and through third-party news apps like Apple News+. However, you will hit the paywall if you try to read most articles directly on nytimes.com without a subscription. A subscription removes the paywall entirely.
What is the difference between pausing and canceling?
Pausing holds your subscription for up to four weeks — you keep your account and preferences, but you are not charged. Canceling ends your subscription entirely and removes your access immediately. You can restart a canceled subscription later, but you start fresh without your saved articles.