GPT Image 2.5 Prompts

How to Access GPT Image 2.5

Three ways to use it: ChatGPT, the API, and third-party platforms.

You can use GPT Image 2.5 in two ways: through ChatGPT (the easiest, included with your plan) or through the API (pay-per-use, for apps and automation). Here is the practical path for each.

Option 1 — In ChatGPT (no code)

  1. Open ChatGPT (web, iOS, or Android) and start a new chat.
  2. Select the image generation tool and choose the GPT Image 2.5 / ChatGPT Images 2.5 model. On mobile, use the plus menu and pick the image option.
  3. Describe the image, or paste one of our ready-made prompts. You can also attach a reference image to guide style or subject.
  4. Refine in follow-up messages. State what should stay the same ("keep the mug and the light, change only the background") to prevent drift.

Availability and daily limits vary by plan — image generation is included on every ChatGPT tier, with higher limits on paid plans. No API key or extra setup is needed.

Option 2 — Via the API (for developers)

  1. Create an API key in your OpenAI platform account and set it as an environment variable (never hard-code it).
  2. Choose your model: gpt-image-2.5-flare for speed, gpt-image-2.5-sunburst for maximum quality and precise edits.
  3. Call the Images API for straightforward generation and editing, or the Responses API when you want conversational, multi-step workflows with image output.
  4. Set size and quality explicitly, and read the usage field in each response to track real cost.

A minimal request looks like this:

curl https://api.openai.com/v1/images/generations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "gpt-image-2.5-sunburst",
    "prompt": "Product photo of a handmade ceramic mug in sand-beige glaze on a travertine pedestal, soft window light from the left, palette of sand and cream, square 1:1, no text, no watermark",
    "size": "1024x1024",
    "quality": "high"
  }'

Option 3 — Through third-party platforms

Many API marketplaces and creative tools now offer GPT Image 2.5 variants with their own interface and billing. These can be convenient, but check which model variant and snapshot they route to, and how they bill — per image pricing at a platform can differ a lot from raw API cost.

Model facts on this page were last checked on October 1, 2026 against OpenAI's announcement and developer documentation coverage. OpenAI updates models and pricing regularly — always confirm current details on OpenAI's official pages before making purchase decisions.