The New York Times Games subscription covers daily puzzles and game archives

The New York Times Games subscription is a separate paid service from the Times' news subscription. It gives you unlimited access to the Times' daily and archive puzzles: the crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, Waffle, and others. You solve them on the Times website or through the mobile app.

The subscription costs $40 per year or $4 per month, billed monthly. You can cancel anytime. If you already pay for a full New York Times news subscription (which includes games), you do not need to buy the games subscription separately — games access is already included in your news plan.

The games subscription does not include access to news articles, opinion pieces, or any other Times content beyond the games themselves. It is purely for the puzzle and game section.

Key Takeaways

  • A Games subscription costs $40 per year or $4 per month and covers all daily puzzles and their archives.
  • Games access is already included if you subscribe to the full New York Times news subscription, so you would not need to pay separately.
  • You can play on the website or through the New York Times app on iOS or Android.
  • The subscription covers only games and puzzles, not news articles or other Times content.

Which puzzles and games are included

The subscription includes the daily crossword (the main puzzle most people recognize), Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, Waffle, Tiles, and Vertex. It also includes the archive of past puzzles going back years, so you can solve older crosswords or games you missed.

The Times releases one new crossword each day, plus one puzzle from each of the other games. The archive lets you go back and play any of them at any time. You can also track your solve times and statistics across all games if you create a profile.

How to set up and pay for the subscription

Go to nytimes.com/games and select "Subscribe." You will be asked to create or sign in to a New York Times account. You then choose between the monthly plan ($4 per month) or the annual plan ($40 per year). Enter a payment method — credit card, debit card, or Apple ID or Google Play if you are using the mobile app.

Once payment processes, your subscription is active immediately. You can start solving puzzles right away on the website or by opening the New York Times app and signing in with the same account.

If you already have a New York Times account for any reason (even if you have never paid for anything), you sign in with that same account. The system will recognize whether you have an active subscription.

Playing on your phone versus the website

The New York Times Games app is available on iOS and Android. The app and the website show the same puzzles and use the same subscription, so you can start a puzzle on your phone and finish it on your computer, or vice versa. Your progress and solve times sync across devices.

Some people prefer the app because it is faster to open and the interface is designed for mobile screens. Others prefer the website because it is easier to type on a keyboard for the crossword. Both routes require the same subscription.

Canceling your subscription

You can cancel anytime through your account settings on nytimes.com. Go to your account, select "Subscriptions," find the Games subscription, and choose "Cancel subscription." You will lose access at the end of your current billing period — if you paid for a month, you keep access through the end of that month.

If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can do so at any time. There is no penalty or waiting period.

What happens if you have a news subscription too

If you already pay for a New York Times news subscription (the plan that includes articles, opinion, and other content), games are included at no extra cost. You do not need to buy a separate Games subscription. Sign in with your news subscription account and you will see all games unlocked.

If you have a news subscription and also buy a Games subscription by mistake, contact New York Times customer service and they can refund the duplicate charge or adjust your billing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try the games for free before I pay?

Yes. The New York Times lets you solve one free puzzle per day — usually one crossword or one other game. You can try different games to see which ones you like. A subscription removes the daily limit and gives you access to the full archive.

Do I need a separate account for games, or can I use my existing New York Times login?

You use the same New York Times account for everything. If you already have a Times account (for news, or even just from signing up before), you sign in with that account and the system checks whether you have a Games subscription attached to it.

Can I share my subscription with family members?

The subscription is tied to one account. Each person who wants unlimited access needs their own subscription. The New York Times does not offer a family plan for Games specifically, though a full news subscription can sometimes be shared depending on the plan terms.

What if I forget my password or can't sign in?

Go to nytimes.com and select "Sign In," then "Forgot your password?" You will receive an email with a reset link. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or contact New York Times customer service through the Help section on their website.

Can I use the subscription on more than one device?

Yes. Sign in with the same account on your phone, tablet, and computer. Your progress syncs across all devices, so your solve times and statistics appear everywhere you play.