You’re staring at a charge on your credit card statement that you didn't authorize, or maybe your Sunday paper is currently a soggy mess on someone else's driveway. You need to call The New York Times. It sounds simple. In a world of AI chatbots and "helpful" FAQ pages that lead in circles, finding a direct line to a living, breathing person at 620 Eighth Avenue can feel like a journalistic investigation in itself.
People still call newspapers. They call to tip off reporters, they call to complain about delivery, and they call because they can't figure out how to cancel a digital subscription that seemed like a great idea for $1 a week but is now $25 a month.
The Numbers You Actually Need
Let’s get the basics out of the way. If you want to call The New York Times for general customer service or delivery issues, the primary number is 800-698-4637.
Don’t expect a person to pick up on the first ring.
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You'll hit an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. It’s that automated voice that wants you to "speak naturally" about your problem. Pro tip: Just keep saying "representative" or pressing 0. Sometimes it works, sometimes it kicks you back to the main menu. If you are calling about a home delivery issue, the automated system is actually okay at scheduling a redelivery, but for billing? You want a human.
For the corporate headquarters in Manhattan—the big glass building—the number is 212-556-1234. This isn't where you go to complain about your crossword app. This is the switchboard. If you know the name of the editor or reporter you’re trying to reach, this is your best bet.
Timing your call
Most people call on Monday morning. Don't be "most people." The wait times are brutal. If you call The New York Times on a Tuesday or Wednesday mid-afternoon, you’re looking at a much shorter hold time. Avoid the 8:00 AM rush when everyone realizes their paper isn't on the porch.
The Customer Care hours are generally:
- Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM ET
- Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Navigating the Subscription Maze
Canceling is the big one. For years, the Times was criticized for making it easy to sign up but nearly impossible to leave. They’ve improved this—mostly because of pressure from regulators and new laws in states like California—but many users still find the "Chat" option frustrating.
When you call The New York Times to cancel, be prepared for the save attempt. The representative's job is to keep you on the hook. They will offer you a "special rate." Then a "more special" rate. Honestly, if you actually want to keep the paper but think it’s too expensive, calling to cancel is the most effective way to get a discount. Just tell them the current price doesn't fit your budget.
If you are a digital-only subscriber, you can often cancel through your account settings on the website, but if that button is mysteriously missing (it happens), the 800-698-4637 number is your mandatory destination.
Reaching the Newsroom
Maybe you aren't calling about a bill. Maybe you have the "Pentagon Papers" of 2026.
The Times newsroom doesn't really have a "public" phone number where a reporter just sits and waits for tips. Most journalism happens via encrypted email or Signal these days. However, if you have a press release or a time-sensitive tip, you can try the main switchboard and ask for the specific desk—Metro, National, Foreign, or Business.
For tips, they actually prefer you use their "SecureTips" page. They use Signal, WhatsApp, and even physical mail. They are very serious about source protection. If you call The New York Times with a sensitive tip, they will likely tell you to hang up and use an encrypted channel anyway.
When the Phone Isn't Working
Sometimes the lines are jammed. If there's a major breaking news event or a widespread delivery glitch, the phone system might just drop your call. It's infuriating.
You have other options:
- Email: The general help email is customercare@nytimes.com. It’s slow. You’ll get a ticket number. It might take 48 hours for a reply.
- X (formerly Twitter): @NYT_Help is surprisingly responsive. Sometimes shouting into the digital void gets a faster human response than waiting on hold.
- The Chat Feature: It’s on the "Contact Us" page. It starts as a bot, but if you type "Agent" enough times, it usually hands you over to a person.
The International Problem
If you’re outside the U.S. and need to call The New York Times, the toll-free 800 number might not work. International subscribers should use +1 212-556-1234 or check the specific contact page for international toll numbers based on their region. The Times has a massive global audience, but their support infrastructure is still very New York-centric.
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Why it’s so hard to get a hold of them
The Times is a massive legacy institution trying to act like a tech company. Tech companies hate phone calls. Phone calls require expensive humans in call centers. The Times has millions of subscribers. If even 1% called on the same day, the system would collapse.
This is why they push the "Help Center" so hard. Most of the time, the Help Center can solve your problem (like resetting a password or updating a credit card), but it lacks the nuance of a human conversation.
If you've been double-charged or if your gift subscription didn't go through, the automated tools often fail. That’s when you need to be persistent with the phone.
What to have ready
Before you call The New York Times, grab your account details. You'll need:
- The email address associated with the account.
- The delivery address (if you get the physical paper).
- The last four digits of the card being charged.
Having this ready prevents that awkward silence where the representative waits while you fumble through your email inbox. It also makes them more likely to help you quickly.
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A Note on the "New York Times Company" vs. The Newspaper
Sometimes people call the Times trying to reach The Athletic or Wirecutter. While the NYT owns them, they often have separate support teams. If you call the main Times number about a Wirecutter recommendation, they might just give you another number to call.
For The Athletic, it's almost entirely digital support. Trying to call The New York Times to fix an issue with your Athletic app is usually a waste of a phone call. Use the specific help portals for those brands instead.
Actionable Steps for Success
If you need to get results, follow this specific path:
- Check the Website First: Log in and go to "Account." If you can fix it there, save yourself 20 minutes of hold music.
- Use the 800-698-4637 Number: This is the "Golden Ticket" for most issues.
- Call Between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM ET: This is the statistically proven sweet spot for lower wait times.
- Say "Representative" Constantly: Don't engage with the bot's questions about your "reason for calling." It's a trap designed to keep you in the automated loop.
- Document the Call: Write down the name of the person you spoke to and the time. If the issue isn't fixed, you’ll need this "paper trail" for your next call.
- Be Polite but Firm: The person on the other end is likely in a high-volume call center. Being a jerk won't get your paper delivered any faster, but being clear and firm about what you need (e.g., "I need a refund for the three days I didn't receive a paper") usually works.
The New York Times remains the "paper of record," but their customer service can feel like a record that's skipping. Persistence is the only real way through.
If the phone fails, and the email is ignored, and the chat is a loop, your last resort is the corporate headquarters switchboard. Use it sparingly.