gpt-image-2.6-sunburst / gpt-image-2.6-flare / gpt-image-2.5-sunburst / gpt-image-2.5-flare (standard)
Image input $8.00 · Image output $30.00 · Cached image input $2.00 · Text input $5.00 · Cached text input $1.25, per 1M tokens.
GPT Image API pricing: token rates and cost per image
Quick answer
OpenAI bills GPT Image by tokens. For gpt-image-2.6 and gpt-image-2.5 (Sunburst and Flare), image input is $8, image output $30 and cached image input $2 per 1M tokens, and text input is $5 per 1M. OpenAI's own calculator shows one GPT Image 2.6 image at low quality and 1024 x 1024 uses 823 output tokens, which is $0.02469 in output cost. Input tokens are extra. Checked November 9, 2026 against OpenAI's API pricing page and image generation guide.
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Key takeaways
- Token prices are the same across 2.6 and 2.5 Sunburst and Flare, but OpenAI notes that equal token rates don't mean equal cost per image.
- Quality options for 2.6 and 2.5 are low, medium, high, xhigh and max. Only the low, 1024 x 1024 figure is published in the guide's static text; other settings need OpenAI's interactive calculator and are left blank here.
- Batch pricing for gpt-image-2 is $4 input and $15 output per 1M tokens.
- Streaming partial images add 100 image output tokens each.
Token prices
gpt-image-2 (batch)
Image input $4.00 · Image output $15.00 · Cached image input $1.00 · Text input $2.50, per 1M tokens.
Source: OpenAI API pricing. Checked November 9, 2026.
Cost per image
| Setting | Output tokens | Output cost per image |
|---|---|---|
| GPT Image 2.6, low, 1024 x 1024 | 823 | $0.02469 |
| Other quality and size settings | not captured | not captured |
Source: the "Calculating costs" section of OpenAI's image generation guide. OpenAI's note: the figure "Excludes text and image input tokens and streaming partial images." Checked November 9, 2026.
What about ChatGPT plans?
ChatGPT plan prices are not listed on this site until they can be verified on OpenAI's own pricing page. This page covers the API only.
Midjourney vs GPT Image (DALL·E) on price
OpenAI's API pricing page lists its image generation models as GPT Image; the name DALL·E does not appear on that page as read November 9, 2026. Midjourney Basic works out to about $0.0125 per image if the whole allowance is used (Midjourney pricing). GPT Image 2.6 at low quality and 1024 x 1024 is $0.02469 in output cost per image. One is a monthly plan, the other pay per use, so the cheaper option depends on how many images you need and how many you keep.
Resellers that list GPT Image
Some platforms resell GPT Image at their own prices, for example WaveSpeedAI ($0.01 per GPT Image 2 image), Kie.ai (from $0.03) and Together AI ($0.053), as checked on their own pages. These are the resellers' listings, not OpenAI's prices. See the reseller section.
Spot a price that changed? Report the change. Prices are updated only when the new figure can be read on the vendor's own page.
FAQ
How is GPT Image billed?
Per token: input text, input images (for edits) and image output tokens. Larger sizes and higher quality use more tokens.
Is there a batch discount?
OpenAI lists batch prices for gpt-image-2 at half the standard image token rates shown for 2.6 and 2.5 ($4 and $15 vs $8 and $30 per 1M).
Does streaming cost more?
Each partial image adds 100 image output tokens.