What a Washington Post subscription costs and includes
The Washington Post offers two main subscription tiers: digital-only and digital plus print. The digital-only plan gives you access to all articles, newsletters, and the Post's website and mobile app. The digital plus print plan adds a physical newspaper delivered to your home, usually on weekends and select weekdays depending on your location.
Pricing varies by region and changes periodically, but digital-only subscriptions typically start lower than the combined plan. The Post also runs promotional rates for new subscribers — often a discounted first month or first year — though the regular price kicks in after the promotion ends. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.
Both plans include access to the Post's archive of articles going back decades, saved articles and reading lists, and the ability to read on multiple devices. If you have a print subscription, you also get digital access included at no extra cost.
Key Takeaways
- Washington Post subscriptions come in digital-only or digital plus print, with digital-only costing less and working on phones, tablets, and computers.
- New subscribers often see promotional pricing for the first month or year, then the regular rate applies unless you cancel.
- You can manage your subscription, pause it, or cancel it directly through your account settings without calling customer service.
- Print delivery is available only in certain areas, so check whether your address qualifies before choosing the print plan.
- A print subscription automatically includes digital access, so you do not pay extra for both.
How to start a Washington Post subscription
Go to washingtonpost.com and look for the subscription offer, usually displayed prominently on the homepage. You will choose between the digital-only and digital plus print plans, then enter your email address and payment method. The Post accepts major credit cards and some digital payment options.
During signup, you will see the promotional rate (if one is running) and the date when your regular price begins. Read this carefully — many subscribers are surprised when the first bill after the promotion is higher. You can also choose how often to be billed: monthly or annually. Annual billing usually offers a discount compared to paying month by month.
After you complete signup, you will receive a confirmation email. Create a password or link your account to an existing email login, then you can start reading immediately. If you chose print delivery, the Post will confirm your address and tell you when your first paper arrives.
Managing your subscription and payment method
Log into your Washington Post account to see your current plan, billing date, and payment method. You can update your credit card, change your billing frequency, or switch between digital-only and digital plus print from the account settings page. Changes usually take effect on your next billing date.
If you want to pause your subscription temporarily — for example, during a vacation or if you are not reading regularly — you can do that through your account without canceling. A paused subscription does not charge you, and you can restart it whenever you want. The pause option is usually available for a limited number of days, so check the terms when you pause.
If you no longer want your subscription, you can cancel directly in your account settings. The Post will ask why you are leaving and may offer you a discounted rate to stay, but you are not required to accept. Cancellation takes effect immediately, and you will not be charged again.
Print delivery and address restrictions
The Washington Post delivers print editions to parts of the Washington, D.C. area and some surrounding regions, but not nationwide. When you choose the digital plus print plan, the Post checks whether your address qualifies for delivery. If it does not, you will see that message during signup and can choose digital-only instead.
Print delivery days vary by location. Some areas receive the paper seven days a week, while others get it only on weekends or select weekdays. The Post will tell you the delivery schedule for your address before you complete your order. If delivery is delayed or you do not receive a paper, you can report it through your account and request a credit.
Accessing your subscription on different devices
Your Washington Post subscription works on your computer, phone, and tablet. Download the Washington Post app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then sign in with your email and password. You can read articles, save stories, and customize your news preferences on any device, and your reading history syncs across them.
If you are reading on a web browser and hit a paywall — a message saying you have reached your article limit — sign in to your account. Once you are logged in, the paywall disappears and you can read as many articles as your subscription includes. If you are still seeing a paywall after signing in, try clearing your browser's cookies or signing out and back in.
Promotional rates and when they end
The Washington Post frequently offers new subscribers a discounted rate for the first month or first year. These promotions change regularly, so the rate you see today may not be the same next week. The Post will always show you the promotional price and the date when your regular price begins before you complete your order.
After your promotional period ends, your subscription will renew at the regular rate unless you cancel. The Post sends reminder emails before the price change, but it is your responsibility to cancel if you do not want to pay the higher amount. Some subscribers downgrade from print to digital-only to lower their cost, rather than canceling entirely.
Occasionally, the Post offers discounts to existing subscribers who are about to cancel — these are sometimes called "win-back" offers. If you cancel and then receive an email with a special rate, that offer is real and you can use it to restart your subscription at a lower price.
Bundled subscriptions and other options
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you may be offered a discounted Washington Post subscription as part of Prime. This is called a bundled offer and is sometimes cheaper than subscribing directly. Check your Prime account to see if this option is available to you.
Some employers and universities also offer Washington Post subscriptions to their employees or students at a reduced rate or for free. If your workplace or school has a partnership with the Post, you may be able to sign up through them instead of paying individually. Ask your HR or IT department whether this benefit is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Washington Post login with family members?
The Post's terms of service say subscriptions are for personal use only, so technically sharing your login violates the agreement. However, the Post does not actively police this. If you want multiple family members to have their own accounts, you would need separate subscriptions. Some households choose to buy one subscription and share the login anyway, understanding the risk.
What happens if I cancel and want to resubscribe later?
You can resubscribe at any time by going to washingtonpost.com and signing up again. You may see a promotional rate if you have been away for a while, or the Post may offer you a special rate to come back. Your old account and saved articles will still be there if you use the same email address.
Why am I seeing a paywall if I have a subscription?
Make sure you are signed into your account — the paywall appears when you are browsing as a non-subscriber. If you are signed in and still see a paywall, try clearing your browser's cookies, signing out and back in, or using a different browser. If the problem persists, contact the Post's customer service through your account settings.
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
The Post does not typically refund partial months. If you cancel on the 15th of a month, you keep access until your next billing date, but you do not get money back for the unused days. Some customer service representatives may make exceptions for technical problems or billing errors, so it is worth asking if something went wrong.
Is there a student or senior discount?
The Post does not advertise a standard student or senior discount on its website. However, promotional rates change frequently, and you may find a lower rate available to you at any given time. Check washingtonpost.com directly or ask customer service whether a special rate applies to your situation.