What a New York Times subscription costs and includes
The New York Times offers three subscription tiers: digital-only, print-only, and print plus digital. Pricing changes periodically and varies based on promotional offers, so the amounts you see when you sign up may differ from what new subscribers pay later. As of now, digital-only subscriptions start around $17 per month for standard access, though introductory rates are often lower. Print subscriptions cost more and vary by region; print plus digital bundles are the most expensive option.
A digital subscription gives you unlimited access to articles on nytimes.com and the New York Times app on phones and tablets. You can read news, opinion, games (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed), and access the recipe database. Print subscriptions deliver the physical newspaper to your home; the frequency and days of delivery depend on your region and subscription type. Print plus digital gives you both.
The Times also offers a Games subscription separate from news — this covers only the games and puzzles, not articles. You can bundle it with a news subscription or buy it alone.
Key Takeaways
- Digital subscriptions start around $17 per month but often have introductory rates of $1 or $2 per month for the first few weeks or months.
- Print subscriptions cost more than digital and vary by region; you can check your local price on the Times website before signing up.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings; the Times does not lock you into a contract.
- The New York Times app works on phones and tablets, but you cannot read articles in a web browser on a computer without paying for a subscription.
- If you have a print subscription, digital access is usually included automatically, though you may need to link your accounts.
How to start a digital subscription
Go to nytimes.com and click the "Subscribe" button, usually in the top right corner. You will see the current offer — often a discounted rate for the first month or two, then the regular price. Choose digital-only or print plus digital. Enter your email address and create a password.
You will then enter payment information: a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. The Times will charge your payment method on the date your subscription begins and on the same day each month or week after that, depending on your billing cycle. You will receive a confirmation email with your subscription details and a link to download the app if you want it.
After you sign up, log in to your account on nytimes.com. You can manage your subscription, update your payment method, or pause or cancel anytime from the "Account" menu.
Print subscription and delivery options
Print subscriptions are ordered through nytimes.com/subscribe or by phone at 1-800-NYTIMES. You enter your delivery address, and the Times shows you the available plans for your area — some regions get the paper seven days a week, others get it fewer days. Pricing depends on how many days per week you want delivery and your location.
Delivery usually begins within three to five business days of your order. If you do not receive a paper on a day it should arrive, you can report it through your account or by calling customer service. The Times will credit your account or redeliver the paper.
Most print subscriptions now include digital access automatically. If yours does not, contact customer service and ask them to link your print and digital accounts so you can read online without a separate digital subscription.
Pausing, canceling, or changing your subscription
You can pause a subscription for up to four weeks without canceling it. This stops charges while you are away or taking a break. Log into your account, go to "Manage Subscription," and select "Pause Subscription." Choose your pause dates and confirm. When the pause ends, your subscription resumes and billing restarts.
To cancel, go to "Manage Subscription" and select "Cancel Subscription." The Times will ask why you are leaving and may offer you a discounted rate to stay. If you decline, your access ends at the end of your current billing period — you do not lose access immediately. You will not be charged again after that date.
You can also downgrade from print plus digital to digital-only, or change your print delivery days. Make these changes in "Manage Subscription" under "Plan Details."
Introductory rates and promotional offers
The New York Times frequently offers introductory rates — commonly $1 per week or $2 per month for the first month, then the regular price. These offers appear when you first visit the sign-up page. The introductory period lasts a set number of weeks or months (usually four to eight weeks), after which your rate increases to the standard price unless you cancel.
Promotional codes sometimes appear in emails, on partner websites, or through special offers. You enter the code during sign-up to get a discount. Read the terms carefully — some codes apply only to new subscribers, and some have restrictions on which subscription type they cover.
If you cancel and then sign up again later, you may or may not be shown an introductory offer. The Times tracks your account history, so returning subscribers sometimes see different pricing than new ones.
Accessing your subscription on different devices
Once you have a digital subscription, you can read on nytimes.com using any web browser on a computer, phone, or tablet. You can also download the New York Times app on iOS (iPhone and iPad) or Android phones and tablets. Log in with the same email and password you used to sign up.
You can read on up to ten devices at once with a single subscription. If you try to log in on an eleventh device, you will need to log out on one of the others first. This limit prevents one subscription from being shared widely.
The app works offline — you can download articles to read later without an internet connection. This is useful for reading on a commute or flight.
Billing and payment issues
The Times charges your payment method on the same day each billing cycle. If your card is declined, you will receive an email asking you to update your payment information. You usually have a grace period of a few days to fix it before your access is paused.
If you see a charge you do not recognize, log into your account and check "Billing History" to see all charges and dates. If a charge is wrong or you were charged twice, contact New York Times customer service through your account or call 1-800-NYTIMES. Keep your confirmation emails and billing statements as proof of what you paid.
If you move and want to change your billing address, update it in "Account Settings." This does not affect your subscription — it only changes where billing statements are sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the New York Times for free?
The Times allows you to read a limited number of free articles per month (usually around five to ten) before a paywall appears. After that, you need a subscription to continue reading. Some articles, like breaking news and obituaries, are always free. Opinion pieces and some other content may also be free.
Does a print subscription include digital access?
Most print subscriptions now include digital access automatically. If you have an older print subscription or are unsure, log into your account or call customer service to confirm. If digital is not included, you can add it or link your accounts so you can read online.
What happens if I do not pay my bill?
If your payment fails, the Times sends you an email asking you to update your payment method. You usually have a few days to fix it. If you do not, your access is paused until the payment goes through. You will not lose your account, but you cannot read articles until the charge is resolved.
Can I share my subscription with family members?
A single subscription is meant for one person. You can log in on up to ten devices, but the Times' terms do not allow sharing a password with people outside your household. If you want multiple people in your family to have access, each person needs their own subscription or you can look into a family plan if the Times offers one in your region.
How do I contact customer service?
Log into your account on nytimes.com and look for "Help" or "Contact Us" in the footer or account menu. You can also call 1-800-NYTIMES. Response times vary, but the Times usually replies to email inquiries within one to two business days.