Wordle Remains a Powerful Driver of Digital Subscriptions for The New York Times

The daily word puzzle continues to attract millions of players and contribute to the company's growing games division revenue.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:05am

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A striking, abstract composition of geometric shapes in shades of blue, grey, and white, conceptually representing the Wordle grid and the challenge of solving the daily puzzle.The iconic Wordle grid becomes a canvas for creative expression, reflecting the game's enduring appeal as a cultural touchpoint.NYC Today

Wordle, the popular daily word puzzle acquired by The New York Times in 2022, has maintained consistent daily participation and become a significant contributor to the company's digital subscription revenue. According to the Times' 2025 annual report, Wordle and other games in the Times' portfolio collectively drove over 10 million monthly active users, with a substantial portion converting to paid subscriptions for full access to the crossword and games archive.

Why it matters

The success of Wordle highlights The New York Times' strategic shift toward diversifying revenue beyond traditional advertising and news subscriptions. By leveraging simple, engaging digital products like games, the Times has been able to attract new audiences and convert them into paying subscribers, reducing customer acquisition costs while reinforcing brand visibility.

The details

On April 19, 2026, The New York Times released Wordle #1765, prompting widespread engagement across social media and news platforms as players sought hints and strategies to solve the five-letter challenge. The specific solution to Wordle #1765 was 'SHARP,' which presented a moderate challenge due to the uncommon placement of the 'P' at the end and the initial difficulty in identifying the 'SH' digraph.

  • On April 19, 2026, The New York Times released Wordle #1765.

The players

The New York Times

A leading American newspaper and media company that acquired the Wordle puzzle game in early 2022.

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What’s next

The New York Times will continue to monitor the performance of Wordle and its other digital games, as they play a crucial role in the company's strategy to diversify revenue and attract new subscribers.

The takeaway

Wordle's enduring appeal and ability to drive digital subscriptions for The New York Times demonstrates the value of simple, well-executed digital products in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. The Times' success with Wordle highlights the potential for games and other non-news content to become significant revenue streams for legacy media companies.