Since March 2025, ChatGPT has been able to producing images. Following a interval the place it briefly wasn’t obtainable to free customers, you now do not even pay for considered one of OpenAI’s subscriptions to use this function. And whereas making images within ChatGPT is simple, there are some nuances value explaining. For instance, do you know you’ll be able to ask ChatGPT to edit images you have taken? It’s extra highly effective than you would possibly assume. Here’s every part you want to learn about producing AI images with ChatGPT.
How to create images with ChatGPT using textual content prompts
To start making a picture in ChatGPT, you can begin by typing within the immediate bar. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)
You can begin producing images in ChatGPT just by typing within the immediate bar what you need to see. There’s no want to overthink issues; so long as you’ve some model of “generate an image” adopted by an outline of your thought, ChatGPT will do the remainder.
Depending on the complexity of the immediate and whether or not you pay for ChatGPT, it could take a minute or two for the chatbot to full your picture request. Sometimes the method can take longer if OpenAI’s servers are experiencing better site visitors than normal.
At the tip of final 12 months, OpenAI up to date the mannequin powering picture era to make it sooner, in addition to higher at rendering textual content and following directions. At the identical time, it added a devoted “Images” part to ChatGPT’s sidebar. Here you’ll be able to see all of the images you have made, alongside pattern prompts and recommendations for types to check out, making it an important place to begin for those who’ve by no means used a picture generator earlier than.
How to create images with ChatGPT using current images
You also can add images to ChatGPT. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)
In addition to producing images from textual content prompts, ChatGPT can modify current images or images you add. This is my most well-liked means of creating images with ChatGPT; I do not want to describe the composition, I can use an current one to information the chatbot. To use an current picture as a place to begin for a brand new era, comply with these steps:
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Tap the “+” icon, positioned to the left of the immediate bar.
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Select Add images & information.
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Select the picture you need ChatGPT to edit. If importing a picture out of your cellphone, you may first want to grant ChatGPT entry to your digital camera roll.
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Write a immediate describing the adjustments you need.
If producing from the Images part, faucet “Add photos” as a substitute.
Keep in thoughts any images you add to OpenAI’s servers could also be utilized by the corporate to prepare future fashions. You can decide out of permitting your knowledge to be used for coaching by following these steps:
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Open the sidebar menu.
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On cellular, faucet the 2 traces on the highest left of the interface; on desktop, click on as a substitute on the OpenAI brand.
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Tap your title to entry account settings.
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Toggle off Improve the mannequin for everybody.
How to edit the images ChatGPT generates
ChatGPT offers you a couple of alternative ways to edit images. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)
If you are sad with ChatGPT’s output, you’ve two choices. You can both immediate it to create a completely new picture, or edit elements of the image it simply generated. As all the time, the method for each entails merely typing what you need within the immediate bar. On cellular, OpenAI offers customers a couple of alternative ways of conducting the identical activity.
To generate a completely new picture:
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Tap the three dots icon beneath the picture ChatGPT created.
To edit a part of an current picture era:
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Tap the picture ChatGPT created.
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Use your finger to masks the part of the picture you need ChatGPT to tweak. The slider on the left permits you to modify the dimensions of the masking brush. On desktop, masking can also be obtainable for those who click on on a picture after which click on on the paintbrush icon on the highest proper.
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Describe what you need ChatGPT to add, take away or exchange by means of the immediate bar.
ChatGPT also can mix considered one of your images with a picture it has generated. To do that:
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Tap a picture ChatGPT created.
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Upload the picture you want
Like all AI methods, ChatGPT is non-deterministic, that means even for those who immediate it in the identical means a number of occasions, it will not generate the very same response every time.
Tips to create higher images with ChatGPT
The finest recommendation I can provide is to be particular when prompting ChatGPT. The extra element you’ll be able to present when describing what you need from it, the higher the outcomes. And keep in mind: ChatGPT can hallucinate — as you might have observed from one of many instance footage I included above. In the picture of the tortoiseshell cat, not solely is the tortie not sitting on the window sill as instructed, it is sitting on a desk that does not make a lot sense. So, most of all, be affected person. Prompting an AI mannequin is just not actual science, and it may well take a couple of tries earlier than it creates the outcome you need.
FAQs
How do you entry ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is offered on the net, desktop and cellular. To entry it in your laptop, open your most well-liked browser and navigate to chatgpt.com. OpenAI additionally presents devoted Mac and Windows apps you’ll be able to obtain from the corporate’s web site. On iOS and Android, you may want to obtain the ChatGPT app from both the App Store or Google Play earlier than you can begin using the chatbot.
Since ChatGPT runs on OpenAI’s servers, so long as you’ll be able to entry the chatbot, you may have the opportunity to use it to create images regardless of the age of your cellphone or laptop.
Can ChatGPT generate images free of charge?
Yes, ChatGPT can generate images free of charge, so long as you create an OpenAI account. However, there’s a every day charge cap and GPT-5 will take longer to make a free picture. Following March 27, 2025, OpenAI briefly restricted free customers to three picture generations per day. The firm has since relaxed that restriction, although it would not listing a particular restrict on its web site. In my expertise, you may have the opportunity to generate about six to seven images each 24 hours.
OpenAI presents three totally different subscription plans, every with their very own set of picture era perks.
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ChatGPT Go, which prices $8 monthly, presents “more image creation.”
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ChatGPT Plus, which prices $20 monthly, presents “expanded and faster image creation.”
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ChatGPT Pro, which prices $200 monthly, presents “unlimited and faster image creation.”
Note: ChatGPT Go will probably be included in OpenAI’s forthcoming advertisements pilot, which can see the corporate show sponsored content material alongside natural responses from ChatGPT. The firm doesn’t plan to show advertisements to Plus and Pro customers.
Can ChatGPT generate an current picture?
No. For copyright causes, ChatGPT cannot replicate images or actual actual world occasions. For instance, once I requested it to recreate the picture of Zinedine Zidane’s iconic 2006 World Cup headbutt, ChatGPT refused.
“I can make an artistic reinterpretation inspired by the emotion or energy of that moment — for example, a stylized painting showing the tension and intensity of competition, without depicting real individuals,” it advised me.
