> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to the page URL.

## Create image

**post** `/images/generations`

Creates an image given a prompt using a GPT Image model. [Learn more](/api/docs/guides/images-vision).

### Body Parameters

Content type: `application/json`

- `model: string or ImageModel`

  The GPT image model to use for image generation. Specify a model explicitly.
  Supported models include `gpt-image-1-mini`, `gpt-image-1.5`, `gpt-image-2`,
  `gpt-image-2-2026-04-21`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst`,
  `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst-2026-09-08`, `gpt-image-2.5-flare`,
  `gpt-image-2.5-flare-2026-09-08`, `gpt-image-2.6-sunburst`, `gpt-image-2.6-flare`,
  and `chatgpt-image-latest`.

  `gpt-image-1` was shut down on October 23, 2026. Use
  `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst` or `gpt-image-2.5-flare` instead.

  - `string`

  - `ImageModel = "gpt-image-1.5" or "gpt-image-2" or "gpt-image-2-2026-04-21" or 11 more`

    - `"gpt-image-1.5"`

    - `"gpt-image-2"`

    - `"gpt-image-2-2026-04-21"`

    - `"gpt-image-2.5-sunburst"`

    - `"gpt-image-2.5-sunburst-2026-09-08"`

    - `"gpt-image-2.5-flare"`

    - `"gpt-image-2.5-flare-2026-09-08"`

    - `"gpt-image-2.6-sunburst"`

    - `"gpt-image-2.6-flare"`

    - `"gpt-image-1"`

    - `"gpt-image-1-mini"`

    - `"chatgpt-image-latest"`

    - `"dall-e-2"`

    - `"dall-e-3"`

- `prompt: string`

  A text description of the desired image(s). The maximum length is 32000 characters.

- `background: optional "transparent" or "opaque" or "auto" or null (default: "auto")`

  Set the background of the generated image(s). This parameter is only supported for
  the GPT image models. Must be one of `transparent`, `opaque`, or `auto` (default
  value). When `auto` is used, the model will automatically determine the best
  background for the image.

  `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst` and `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, including their `2026-09-08`
  snapshots, support `opaque` and `transparent` backgrounds. Transparent backgrounds
  are available for supported GPT Image models. For `gpt-image-2` and
  `gpt-image-2-2026-04-21`, this support is in preview. When using `transparent`,
  set the output format to `png` or `webp`.

  - `"transparent"`

  - `"opaque"`

  - `"auto"`

- `complexity: optional "low" or "medium" or "high" or null`

  Computation spent planning the image, independently of rendering quality. Uses the image model's configured default when omitted. For SVG output, controls the reference image, independently of the SVG author's reasoning.

  - `"low"`

  - `"medium"`

  - `"high"`

- `frame_count: optional integer or null`

  Number of frames for GIF output. Accepts integers from 2 through 16. Defaults to 9 when omitted. Only supported with output_format=gif. The requested size must satisfy the selected model's GIF size limits. GIF output does not support streaming, partial images, masks, or custom output compression. Requires access to the GIF preview for the selected model.

  `minimum: 2`, `maximum: 16`

- `frame_duration_ms: optional integer or null`

  Requested delay per GIF frame, in milliseconds. Defaults to 200 when omitted. GIF output rounds to the nearest 10 ms and caps the encoded delay at 655,350 ms per frame. Only supported with output_format=gif.

  `minimum: 20`

- `moderation: optional "low" or "auto" or null (default: "auto")`

  Control the content-moderation level for images generated by the GPT image models. Must be either `low` for less restrictive filtering or `auto` (default value).

  - `"low"`

  - `"auto"`

- `n: optional integer or null (default: 1)`

  The number of images to generate. Must be between 1 and 10.

  `minimum: 1`, `maximum: 10`

- `output_compression: optional integer or null (default: 100)`

  The compression level (0-100%) for the generated images. This parameter is only supported for the GPT image models with the `webp` or `jpeg` output formats, and defaults to 100.

- `output_format: optional "png" or "webp" or "jpeg" or 2 more or null (default: "png")`

  The format in which the generated images are returned. This parameter is only supported for the GPT image models.

  - `"png"`

  - `"webp"`

  - `"jpeg"`

  - `"gif"`

  - `"svg"`

- `partial_images: optional integer or null (default: 0)`

  The number of partial images to generate. This parameter is used for
  streaming responses that return partial images. Value must be between 0 and 3.
  When set to 0, the response will be a single image sent in one streaming event.

  Note that the final image may be sent before the full number of partial images
  are generated if the full image is generated more quickly.

  `minimum: 0`, `maximum: 3`

- `quality: optional "low" or "medium" or "high" or 5 more or null (default: "auto")`

  The quality of the image that will be generated.

  - `auto` (default value) will automatically select the best quality for the given
    model.
  - `high`, `medium` and `low` are supported for the GPT image models.
  - `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst` and `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, including their `2026-09-08`
    snapshots, also support `xhigh` and `max`.

  - `"low"`

  - `"medium"`

  - `"high"`

  - `"xhigh"`

  - `"max"`

  - `"auto"`

  - `"standard"`

  - `"hd"`

- `response_format: optional "url" or "b64_json" or null`

  Legacy response format parameter for retired image models. Unsupported for GPT image models, which always return base64-encoded images.

  - `"url"`

  - `"b64_json"`

- `safety_identifier: optional string or null`

  A stable identifier for an end user in your organization, used for safety monitoring and abuse detection. Hash a username or email address to avoid sending identifying information. A non-empty value takes precedence over the deprecated `user` parameter. If omitted, null, or empty, the API uses `user` when available. [Learn more](/api/docs/guides/safety-best-practices#implement-safety-identifiers).

  `maxLength: 128`

- `size: optional string or "auto" or "1024x1024" or "1536x1024" or 5 more or null (default: "auto")`

  The size of the generated images. For `gpt-image-2`, `gpt-image-2-2026-04-21`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst-2026-09-08`, `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, and `gpt-image-2.5-flare-2026-09-08`, arbitrary resolutions are supported as `WIDTHxHEIGHT` strings, for example `1536x864`. Width and height must both be divisible by 16 and the requested aspect ratio must be between 1:3 and 3:1. Resolutions above `2560x1440` are experimental, and the maximum supported resolution is `3840x2160`. The requested size must also satisfy the model's current pixel and edge limits. The standard sizes `1024x1024`, `1536x1024`, and `1024x1536` are supported by the GPT image models; `auto` is supported for models that allow automatic sizing.

  - `string`

  - `"auto" or "1024x1024" or "1536x1024" or 5 more`

    The size of the generated images. For `gpt-image-2`, `gpt-image-2-2026-04-21`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst-2026-09-08`, `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, and `gpt-image-2.5-flare-2026-09-08`, arbitrary resolutions are supported as `WIDTHxHEIGHT` strings, for example `1536x864`. Width and height must both be divisible by 16 and the requested aspect ratio must be between 1:3 and 3:1. Resolutions above `2560x1440` are experimental, and the maximum supported resolution is `3840x2160`. The requested size must also satisfy the model's current pixel and edge limits. The standard sizes `1024x1024`, `1536x1024`, and `1024x1536` are supported by the GPT image models; `auto` is supported for models that allow automatic sizing.

    - `"auto"`

    - `"1024x1024"`

    - `"1536x1024"`

    - `"1024x1536"`

    - `"256x256"`

    - `"512x512"`

    - `"1792x1024"`

    - `"1024x1792"`

- `stream: optional boolean or null (default: false)`

  Generate the image in streaming mode. Defaults to `false`. See the
  [Image generation guide](/api/docs/guides/image-generation) for more information.
  This parameter is only supported for the GPT image models.

- `style: optional "vivid" or "natural" or null`

  Legacy style parameter for retired image models. Unsupported for GPT image models; describe the desired style in the prompt instead.

  - `"vivid"`

  - `"natural"`

- `svg: optional object { model, reasoning }  or null`

  Selects the model and reasoning effort used to author SVG output. Requires output_format=svg and access to SVG model selection. When model selection is enabled, supply svg.model. When model selection is disabled, omit this object. The top-level model selects the image model that creates the reference image. SVG generation requires n=1 and does not support streaming, partial images, prompt_rewriter, or output_compression.

  - `model: string`

    Model used to author the SVG. Required when SVG model selection is enabled.

    `minLength: 1`

  - `reasoning: optional object { effort }  or null`

    Reasoning settings for the SVG author, independent of image complexity. Omitted or null effort uses the author model's default. Supported efforts depend on the selected author model.

    - `effort: optional "none" or "minimal" or "low" or 4 more or null`

      Controls how much effort the SVG author spends on reasoning. Uses the author model's default when omitted or null.

      - `"none"`

      - `"minimal"`

      - `"low"`

      - `"medium"`

      - `"high"`

      - `"xhigh"`

      - `"max"`

- `user: optional string`

  Deprecated: use `safety_identifier` instead. This parameter remains accepted for backward compatibility and is used when `safety_identifier` is omitted, null, or empty. [Learn more](/api/docs/guides/safety-best-practices#implement-safety-identifiers).

### Returns

- `ImagesResponse object { created, background, data, 6 more }`

  The response from the image generation endpoint.

  - `created: integer`

    The Unix timestamp (in seconds) of when the image was created.

    `format: unixtime`

  - `background: optional "transparent" or "opaque"`

    The background parameter used for the image generation. Either `transparent` or `opaque`.

    - `"transparent"`

    - `"opaque"`

  - `data: optional array of Image`

    The list of generated images.

    - `b64_json: optional string`

      The base64-encoded JSON of the generated image. Returned by default for GPT image models, or when `response_format` is set to `b64_json` for models that support that parameter.

    - `revised_prompt: optional string`

      The revised prompt used to generate the image, for models that support prompt revision. Not returned by GPT image models.

    - `url: optional string`

      The URL of the generated image when `response_format` is set to `url` for models that support that parameter. Unsupported for GPT image models.

      `format: uri`

  - `output_format: optional "png" or "webp" or "jpeg" or 2 more`

    The output format of the generated or edited image.

    - `"png"`

    - `"webp"`

    - `"jpeg"`

    - `"gif"`

    - `"svg"`

  - `quality: optional "low" or "medium" or "high" or 2 more`

    The quality of the image generated. One of `low`, `medium`, `high`, `xhigh`, or `max`.

    - `"low"`

    - `"medium"`

    - `"high"`

    - `"xhigh"`

    - `"max"`

  - `safety_identifier: optional string or null`

    The effective safety identifier used for safety monitoring and abuse detection. This is the non-empty `safety_identifier` from the request, or the deprecated `user` value when `safety_identifier` is omitted, null, or empty.

  - `size: optional string or "1024x1024" or "1024x1536" or "1536x1024"`

    The image dimensions as a `WIDTHxHEIGHT` string, for example `1536x864`.

    - `string`

    - `"1024x1024" or "1024x1536" or "1536x1024"`

      The image dimensions as a `WIDTHxHEIGHT` string, for example `1536x864`.

      - `"1024x1024"`

      - `"1024x1536"`

      - `"1536x1024"`

  - `svg_usage: optional object { input_tokens, model, output_tokens, 2 more }`

    Token usage for SVG authoring, separate from image rendering usage.

    - `input_tokens: integer`

    - `model: string`

    - `output_tokens: integer`

    - `reasoning_tokens: integer`

    - `total_tokens: integer`

  - `usage: optional object { input_tokens, input_tokens_details, output_tokens, 2 more }`

    Token usage information for image generation with GPT Image models.

    - `input_tokens: integer`

      The number of tokens (images and text) in the input prompt.

    - `input_tokens_details: object { image_tokens, text_tokens }`

      The input tokens detailed information for the image generation.

      - `image_tokens: integer`

        The number of image tokens in the input prompt.

      - `text_tokens: integer`

        The number of text tokens in the input prompt.

    - `output_tokens: integer`

      The number of output tokens generated by the model.

    - `total_tokens: integer`

      The total number of tokens (images and text) used for the image generation.

    - `output_tokens_details: optional object { image_tokens, text_tokens }`

      The output token details for the image generation.

      - `image_tokens: integer`

        The number of image output tokens generated by the model.

      - `text_tokens: integer`

        The number of text output tokens generated by the model.

### Example

```http
curl https://api.openai.com/v1/images/generations \
    -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY" \
    -d '{
          "model": "gpt-image-2.5-flare",
          "prompt": "A cute baby sea otter",
          "background": "transparent",
          "moderation": "low",
          "n": 1,
          "output_compression": 100,
          "output_format": "png",
          "partial_images": 1,
          "quality": "medium",
          "safety_identifier": "user-1234",
          "size": "1024x1024",
          "style": "vivid",
          "user": "user-1234"
        }'
```

#### 200 — Example

```json
{
  "created": 0,
  "background": "transparent",
  "data": [
    {
      "b64_json": "b64_json",
      "revised_prompt": "revised_prompt",
      "url": "https://example.com"
    }
  ],
  "output_format": "png",
  "quality": "low",
  "safety_identifier": "safety_identifier",
  "size": "1024x1024",
  "svg_usage": {
    "input_tokens": 0,
    "model": "model",
    "output_tokens": 0,
    "reasoning_tokens": 0,
    "total_tokens": 0
  },
  "usage": {
    "input_tokens": 0,
    "input_tokens_details": {
      "image_tokens": 0,
      "text_tokens": 0
    },
    "output_tokens": 0,
    "total_tokens": 0,
    "output_tokens_details": {
      "image_tokens": 0,
      "text_tokens": 0
    }
  }
}
```

### Generate image

```http
curl https://api.openai.com/v1/images/generations \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "model": "gpt-image-2.5-flare",
    "prompt": "A cute baby sea otter",
    "n": 1,
    "size": "1024x1024"
  }'
```

#### Response example

```json
{
  "created": 1713833628,
  "data": [
    {
      "b64_json": "..."
    }
  ],
  "usage": {
    "total_tokens": 100,
    "input_tokens": 50,
    "output_tokens": 50,
    "input_tokens_details": {
      "text_tokens": 10,
      "image_tokens": 40
    }
  }
}
```

### Streaming

```http
curl https://api.openai.com/v1/images/generations \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "model": "gpt-image-2.5-flare",
    "prompt": "A cute baby sea otter",
    "n": 1,
    "size": "1024x1024",
    "stream": true
  }' \
  --no-buffer
```

#### Response example

```json
event: image_generation.partial_image
data: {"type":"image_generation.partial_image","b64_json":"...","partial_image_index":0}

event: image_generation.completed
data: {"type":"image_generation.completed","b64_json":"...","usage":{"total_tokens":100,"input_tokens":50,"output_tokens":50,"input_tokens_details":{"text_tokens":10,"image_tokens":40}}}
```