Introduction
GPT Image 2.5 Flare Text to image is OpenAI's gpt-image-2.5-flare, released on 8 September 2026, generating images from a written prompt. OpenAI calls it its fastest model for high-quality, everyday image generation.
Choose a mode by starting material
| What you have | Mode |
|---|---|
| a written brief | GPT Image 2.5 Flare Text to image |
| an image to change | GPT Image 2.5 Flare Edit |
Key features
Speed without a smaller option list
Flare accepts the same quality tiers, sizes and shapes as Sunburst. In our high-tier tests at 1k it usually finished in 25 to 45 seconds, which makes batches of ten and tools where someone is waiting on the result practical.
Request parameters
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
prompt | Yes | Describe the image you want. |
quality | No | Trades speed and price for finer detail. low · medium · high · xhigh · max · Default: high |
resolution | No | Output size. Bigger sizes look sharper and cost more. 1k · 2k · 4k · Default: 1k |
num_outputs | No | How many results to make in one go. ≥ 1 · ≤ 10 · Default: 1 |
aspect_ratio | No | The shape of the frame: wide, square or tall. 1:1 · 1:2 · 1:3 · 2:1 · 2:3 · 3:1 · 3:2 · 3:4 · 4:3 · 4:5 · 5:4 · 9:16 · 9:21 · 16:9 · 21:9 · Default: 1:1 |
output_format | No | File type of the result. png · jpeg · webp · Default: png |
output_quality | No | Compression quality for JPEG and WebP, from 0 to 100. ≥ 0 · ≤ 100 |
Pricing
Prices are in credits, the same credits you use on the website (1 credit = $0.01). The hold is taken when the task is accepted and settled to the actual charge when it finishes; failed tasks are refunded.
| Option | Credits per image | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| aspect_ratio 1:3 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.27 | $0.0027 |
| aspect_ratio 3:1 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.27 | $0.0027 |
| aspect_ratio 21:9 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.37 | $0.0037 |
| aspect_ratio 9:21 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.37 | $0.0037 |
| aspect_ratio 1:2 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.41 | $0.0041 |
| aspect_ratio 2:1 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.41 | $0.0041 |
| aspect_ratio 1:3 · quality low · resolution 2K | 0.43 | $0.0043 |
| aspect_ratio 3:1 · quality low · resolution 2K | 0.43 | $0.0043 |
| aspect_ratio 16:9 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.46 | $0.0046 |
| aspect_ratio 9:16 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.46 | $0.0046 |
| aspect_ratio 2:3 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.54 | $0.0054 |
| aspect_ratio 3:2 · quality low · resolution 1K | 0.54 | $0.0054 |
Each task is rounded up to whole credits, so one run at the lowest tier costs 1 credit per image ($0.01).
For an exact number before you run, send the same body to POST /jobs/quote.
Use cases
Daily social content
Posts, story frames and ad variations where a steady flow of finished images matters more than the last bit of detail.
Previews inside products
Apps and design tools that show a generated image while the user waits, where 30 seconds is acceptable and two minutes is not.
Thumbnails and covers in batches
Video thumbnails, playlist covers and blog headers, up to ten per request from one brief.
Prompt guide & pro tips
Stay at high for finished images
High is the default and gives finished-looking results; low and medium are for rough layout checks only.
Quote any sign or caption
Put the words in double quotes and say where they sit. The OPEN LATE sign in our example came back spelled as written.
Describe motion and weather
Wind in the hair, steam, rain on asphalt: short physical details make fast renders feel photographed rather than composed.
API quick start
Call the GPT Image 2.5 Flare API in three steps
- Create an API key. Sign in to PopNow and create a key in the API console. Keys start with sk-popnow- and use the same credits as the website.
- Send the request. POST /jobs/createTask with model openai/gpt-image-2.5-flare/text-to-image and an input object that follows the parameter table. The response returns a task ID straight away.
- Get the result. Poll GET /jobs/recordInfo with the task ID, or pass a callBackUrl and we post the result to it. Download the output links when the task succeeds.
# 1. Create the task. Keep the Idempotency-Key if you retry after a network error.
export IDEMPOTENCY_KEY="$(uuidgen)"
curl -X POST https://api.popnow.ai/api/v1/jobs/createTask \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $POPNOW_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Idempotency-Key: $IDEMPOTENCY_KEY" \
-d '{
"model": "openai/gpt-image-2.5-flare/text-to-image",
"input": {
"prompt": "A ceramic teapot on a linen cloth, soft window light, muted palette",
"aspect_ratio": "1:1",
"resolution": "1k",
"quality": "high",
"num_outputs": 1,
"output_format": "png"
}
}'
# 2. Copy data.taskId from the response, then poll until state is succeeded, failed, canceled or expired.
TASK_ID="TASK_ID_FROM_RESPONSE"
curl "https://api.popnow.ai/api/v1/jobs/recordInfo?taskId=$TASK_ID" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $POPNOW_API_KEY"Replace the prompt and any links with your own. The API tab has the response, polling and callback reference.
GPT Image 2.5 Flare API questions
How much does the GPT Image 2.5 Flare API cost?
GPT Image 2.5 Flare starts at 1 credit ($0.01) per image with Create Image, its cheapest task. Prices by option: 1:3 · low · 1K 0.27 credits per image, 3:1 · low · 1K 0.27 credits per image, 21:9 · low · 1K 0.37 credits per image, 9:21 · low · 1K 0.37 credits per image. Credits are the same as on the website (1 credit = $0.01), new accounts get 30 free credits, and failed tasks are refunded.
What is the model name for GPT Image 2.5 Flare in the API?
Put openai/gpt-image-2.5-flare/text-to-image for Create Image; openai/gpt-image-2.5-flare/edit for Edit Image in the model field of POST /jobs/createTask.
How much faster is it?
OpenAI calls Flare its fastest image model. In our tests at the high tier and 1k, Flare usually returned in 25 to 45 seconds, while Sunburst took from 25 seconds to more than two minutes for similar requests.
Does it support transparent backgrounds?
Yes. Set background to transparent with PNG or WebP output and the result carries a real alpha channel. This option is available on the image-editing endpoint; the text-to-image endpoint does not expose a background setting.
What are the limits of the GPT Image 2.5 Flare API?
Resolutions: 1K · 2K · 4K; Aspect ratios: 1:1 · 1:2 · 1:3 · 2:1 · 2:3 · 3:1 +9; Outputs per call: 1–10; Prompt length (characters): 5,000. Requests outside these limits are rejected before anything is charged.
Can I try GPT Image 2.5 Flare without writing code?
Yes. The Playground runs GPT Image 2.5 Flare on your PopNow credits, needs no API key, and shows the matching code for every run.
All GPT Image models
GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst costs the same and takes longer, and it's the one to choose for final images and precise retouching. Flare is the choice when turnaround matters.

