Earlier this week it had been widely reported that The New York Times would introduce charging, with announcement due shortly, after an almost six month delay that has been attributed to widespread difference of opinion within the organisation.
The New York Times Company is thought to have looked at a number of different paid content systems including membership clubs before settling on a metered approach.
The paper, in a statement, said: "Our audiences are very loyal and we believe that our readers will pay for our award-winning digital content and services."
The New York Times said it will offer users free access to a set number of articles per month and then charge users once they exceed that number.
It said this would allow its NYTimes.com website to "create a second revenue stream and preserve its robust advertising business" while also providing the necessary flexibility to keep an appropriate ratio between free and paid content and stay connected to a search-driven Web.
During the coming 12 months, one of the world's best known newspapers will work on building a new online infrastructure, which the paper said would provide consumers with "a frictionless experience across multiple platforms".
The move will not affect New York Times home delivery print subscribers who will continue to enjoy free access to NYTimes.com.
Arthur Sulzberger Jr, chairman of The New York Times Company, said: "Our new business model is designed to provide additional support for The New York Times' extraordinary, professional journalism.
"Our audiences are very loyal and we believe that our readers will pay for our award-winning digital content and services."
One of the reasons given for the move by Janet Robinson, president and CEO of the paper was that the New York Times' content was being featured in an increasingly broad range devices.
Robinson said: "Our pricing plans and policies must reflect this vision."
Earlier today it was reported that the paper introducing any kind of pay wall.
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