What you get with a New York Times subscription

A New York Times subscription gives you access to articles, video, and audio content on nytimes.com and through the NYT app. The subscription removes the paywall that limits how many articles you can read each month without paying. You also get access to the Times' games — crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others — depending on which plan you choose.

The Times offers three main subscription tiers: digital-only, which covers web and app access; print plus digital, which adds a physical newspaper to your door; and all access, which includes everything plus the games bundle. Each tier has a different monthly cost, and the Times regularly runs promotional rates for new subscribers.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital-only subscriptions start at a promotional rate but increase to a standard monthly price after the promotional period ends, usually within a few months.
  • Print plus digital subscriptions include a physical newspaper delivered to your address and cost more than digital-only, with pricing that varies by location.
  • You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on nytimes.com without penalty.
  • The Times offers student discounts and sometimes runs limited-time offers at lower rates for new subscribers.

Pricing and promotional rates

The New York Times does not publish a single fixed price for subscriptions. Instead, the company offers different rates depending on whether you are a new subscriber, what tier you choose, and what promotional offer is currently running. New subscribers typically see an introductory rate — often $1 to $4 per week for the first several weeks or months — before the price rises to the standard rate.

Standard rates vary by subscription type. Digital-only subscriptions typically cost between $15 and $20 per month after the promotional period. Print plus digital subscriptions cost significantly more, often $25 to $35 per month or higher depending on your location, because printing and delivery add real costs. The all-access plan, which includes games, costs more than digital-only but less than print plus digital.

The Times changes its promotional offers frequently. If you visit nytimes.com/subscribe, you will see whatever offer is currently available to new subscribers in your region. Existing subscribers do not automatically get new promotional rates, though you can sometimes negotiate a lower rate by contacting customer service or letting your subscription lapse and resubscribing.

How to start and manage your subscription

To start a subscription, go to nytimes.com/subscribe and select the plan you want. You will enter your email address, create a password, and provide a payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal. The Times will charge your payment method on a recurring schedule: weekly, monthly, or annually, depending on the plan you choose.

Once your subscription is active, you can read articles on nytimes.com and download the NYT app to read on your phone or tablet. Your subscription is tied to your email address, so you can sign in on multiple devices using the same account. You do not need separate logins for each device.

To manage your subscription, log into your account at nytimes.com, go to your account settings, and select "Subscription." From there you can view your current plan, see your billing date, update your payment method, or pause or cancel your subscription. Pausing temporarily stops charges without closing your account; canceling ends the subscription entirely.

Student discounts and special offers

The New York Times offers a reduced rate for students with a valid .edu email address. The student rate is typically lower than the standard digital-only price, though the exact amount varies. To use a student discount, you must sign up through the student offer page on nytimes.com, not through the regular subscription page.

Beyond student rates, the Times periodically runs limited-time offers for new subscribers. These might include a very low introductory rate for the first month or two, or a discounted annual plan. These offers change regularly and are not always available to everyone — the offer you see depends on your location and subscription history.

What happens when your promotional rate ends

When your introductory rate expires, your subscription automatically renews at the standard price. The Times will notify you by email before the price change takes effect, usually a week or two in advance. The notification will tell you the new price and the date it takes effect.

If you do not want to pay the standard rate, you have several options. You can cancel your subscription before the price change takes effect and avoid the charge. You can contact New York Times customer service and ask if they will extend your promotional rate or offer you a different rate. You can let your subscription lapse and then resubscribe later using a new promotional offer. There is no penalty for canceling, and you can resubscribe at any time.

Accessing content on different devices

Your New York Times subscription works on any device where you can sign in with your account. This includes computers (Mac and Windows), iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. You do not need to buy separate subscriptions for each device — one subscription covers all of them.

On a web browser, go to nytimes.com and sign in with your email and password. On a phone or tablet, download the free New York Times app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android), then sign in with the same email and password. Your subscription status will sync across all devices, so you can start reading an article on your phone and finish it on your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my subscription with family members?

The New York Times allows you to add up to five household members to your account through a feature called "Manage my account." Each person gets their own login and reading history, but you all share the same subscription and payment method. This is different from sharing your password, which violates the Times' terms of service.

What if I want to cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime through your account settings on nytimes.com. Go to Subscription, then select Cancel Subscription. You will not be charged again after you cancel, and you can resubscribe later. The Times may offer you a discount to stay, but you are not required to accept it.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

The New York Times does not refund unused portions of a subscription. If you cancel on the 15th of a month you paid for, you lose access to the remaining days. However, you can pause your subscription instead, which temporarily stops charges without closing your account, then resume it later.

Can I change my subscription plan after I sign up?

Yes. Log into your account, go to Subscription, and select "Change plan." You can upgrade to a higher tier (like adding print or games) or downgrade to a lower tier. Changes take effect on your next billing date. If you upgrade mid-cycle, the Times will prorate the difference.

What if I forgot my password?

Go to nytimes.com and click "Sign in," then select "Forgot password?" Enter your email address and the Times will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link in the email and create a new password. You will then be able to sign in and access your subscription.