What you get with a New York Times subscription
A New York Times subscription gives you access to articles, opinion pieces, recipes, games, and video content on nytimes.com and through the NYT app. The newspaper offers several subscription tiers — each one unlocks different amounts of content and features. The basic digital plan costs less than the premium plan, which includes everything the Times publishes across all sections.
The Times uses a metered paywall, which means you can read a certain number of free articles each month before you hit a limit. Once you reach that limit, you need a subscription to keep reading. The exact number of free articles varies, but the Times typically allows between 5 and 10 articles per month for free readers.
If you already have a print subscription, you may already have digital access included. Check your account on nytimes.com to see what you can already read without paying extra.
Key Takeaways
- The New York Times offers a digital-only subscription, a print-only subscription, and a bundle that includes both print and digital access.
- Pricing varies depending on which plan you choose and whether you are a new or returning subscriber — introductory rates are often lower than the standard monthly cost.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on nytimes.com.
- The Times offers discounts for students, and some public libraries provide free access to New York Times content for cardholders.
Subscription plans and what they cost
The New York Times offers three main subscription paths: digital-only, print-only, and a bundle. The digital-only plan gives you access to all articles, opinion, recipes, games, and video on the website and mobile app. Print subscriptions deliver the newspaper to your home and typically include digital access as well. The bundle combines both for a single monthly fee.
Pricing changes regularly and varies by region. New subscribers often see introductory rates — sometimes as low as $1 per week for the first few months — before the price increases to the standard rate. Returning subscribers who have cancelled before may see different pricing than someone signing up for the first time. The Times also runs promotions around holidays and major events.
You can see the current price for each plan by visiting nytimes.com/subscribe. The site will show you what new subscribers pay and what the price will be after any introductory period ends.
How to start and manage your subscription
To start a subscription, go to nytimes.com/subscribe and choose the plan you want. You will need to create a New York Times account with an email address and password. During checkout, you provide a payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal. The Times will charge you on the same day each month (or week, depending on your plan).
Once your subscription is active, you can log in on any device — phone, tablet, or computer — using your account email and password. You can read articles, save stories to read later, and customize which sections appear on your home page.
To manage your subscription, log into your account on nytimes.com and go to the Account Settings or Subscription section. There you can view your billing date, update your payment method, pause your subscription, or cancel it. You can pause for up to three months without losing your account, then resume when you are ready.
Student discounts and library access
The New York Times offers a reduced rate for students with a valid .edu email address. The student plan includes digital access to all content and typically costs less than half the standard digital subscription price. To sign up, you go through nytimes.com/student and verify your student status.
Many public libraries across the United States also provide free access to the New York Times for cardholders. You log in through your library's website using your library card number, and the library's subscription covers the cost. This option does not require you to enter a payment method or create a separate New York Times account. Check your local library's website to see if they offer this benefit.
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 personally — your phone, tablet, and computer, for example. However, the Times does not allow you to share your login credentials with people outside your household.
If the Times detects that your account is being used from multiple locations at the same time or from locations that are far apart, it may ask you to verify your identity or restrict access. Sharing your password with friends or family members who do not live with you violates the subscription agreement and can result in your account being suspended or cancelled.
Cancelling and pausing your subscription
You can cancel your New York Times subscription at any time through your account settings. Go to nytimes.com, log in, and navigate to your subscription or account settings. Look for the option to cancel or manage your subscription. You will not be charged again after you cancel, and you can resubscribe later if you change your mind.
If you do not want to cancel but need a break, you can pause your subscription for up to three months. During a pause, you will not be charged, but your account and saved articles remain intact. After the pause period ends, your subscription automatically resumes unless you cancel it.
The Times does not require you to provide a reason to cancel or pause, and there are no penalties for doing so. Some subscribers who cancel receive promotional offers to return at a discounted rate.
Troubleshooting common subscription issues
If you are having trouble logging in, first check that you are using the correct email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot your password?" on the login page and follow the steps to reset it. The Times will send you a link to create a new password.
If you are seeing a message that says you have reached your article limit even though you have a subscription, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes clearing your browser cookies or using an incognito window helps. If the problem continues, contact the New York Times customer service through the Help section on nytimes.com.
If your payment failed and your subscription was paused, update your payment method in your account settings and your subscription should resume. If you are not sure whether your subscription is active, check your account page — it will show your current plan and next billing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read New York Times articles for free?
Yes. The Times allows free readers to read a limited number of articles each month before the paywall appears. The exact limit varies, but it is typically between 5 and 10 articles. Once you reach the limit, you need a subscription to continue reading. You can also read some articles for free if you arrive through a social media link or a search engine result.
What is the difference between the digital plan and the bundle?
The digital plan gives you access to nytimes.com and the mobile app only. The bundle includes digital access plus a print newspaper subscription delivered to your home. The bundle costs more than the digital plan alone, but less than buying a digital subscription and print subscription separately.
Can I use my subscription on more than one device?
Yes. You can log into your New York Times account on as many of your own devices as you want — phone, tablet, computer, etc. However, you cannot share your login with other people, and the Times may restrict access if it detects unusual activity like simultaneous logins from distant locations.
Do I have to pay the full price, or can I get a discount?
New subscribers almost always see an introductory rate that is lower than the standard price. Students can get a reduced rate with a valid .edu email. Some public libraries also offer free access to New York Times content for cardholders. Pricing and promotions change frequently, so check nytimes.com/subscribe to see what is currently available.
What if I want to cancel but might come back later?
You can cancel anytime without penalty, and you can resubscribe whenever you want. If you need a temporary break, you can pause your subscription for up to three months instead of cancelling — your account and saved articles stay intact, and you will not be charged during the pause.