Credits extend usage for supported features after included plan limits are reached. The supported feature set can change; the usage page and rate card show the options available to your plan.
Overview
Credits allow you to continue using ChatGPT features when you reach your plan's included limits, without the need to upgrade your plan. Credits currently can only be used with Codex, ChatGPT Work, and ChatGPT for Excel, when those features are available to your plan.
What changes for my plan
Nothing about your plan changes. You still get your plan's included usage.
Credits are a pay-as-you-go add-on for supported features when you need more usage beyond plan limits.
Flexible pricing availability varies by feature and plan. Check the usage page for what is available to your account.
How credits work
Your plan's included usage is used first. After you hit plan limits, usage draws from your credit balance. Read about Codex usage limits.
For Plus and Pro, supported agentic features, including Codex, ChatGPT Work, and ChatGPT for Excel, can draw from the same agentic usage allowance.
Viewing and buying credits
If you hit a usage limit in Codex on Plus or Pro, you'll see an option to add credits. If credit purchases are available to your account, you can view your current balance, and buy credits from Settings > Usage in ChatGPT or Usage & Billing in the Codex app.
Enable automatic purchases
If automatic reload is available to your account, you can turn it on from Settings > Usage in ChatGPT or Usage & Billing in the Codex app. When your credit balance drops below your selected minimum balance, we automatically purchase only the amount needed to return it to your selected target balance using your default payment method on file. If your balance is already below the minimum when you turn it on, a purchase may happen right away.
Managing credit balance
If a task starts while your balance is positive but finishes after concurrent usage depletes it, your balance can go negative. In that case, later credit purchases or automatic reloads may first offset the negative balance before increasing your available credits. Check Settings > Usage in ChatGPT or Usage & Billing in the Codex app for your current balance and recent usage.
Rate Card
ChatGPT Work and Codex
For rates, refer to this help article.
ChatGPT for Excel
| Model | Input tokens | Cached input tokens | Output tokens |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.6 Sol | 100 credits | 10 credits | 500 credits |
A typical ChatGPT for Excel/Sheets task may consume between 5 and 20 credits per message.
ChatGPT for PowerPoint
| Model | Input tokens | Cached input tokens | Output tokens |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.6 Sol | 100 credits | 10 credits | 500 credits |
A typical ChatGPT for PowerPoint task may consume between 10 and 50 credits per message.
FAQs
Can I use the same credits for different features?
Yes. Credits work across supported features available to your plan, which can include Codex, ChatGPT Work, and ChatGPT for Excel.
For example, credits added through Codex can be used by other supported features on the same eligible account after included limits are reached.
Can I buy credits on a Free or Go plan?
Credit purchases are currently available to a limited group of Free and Go users. If credit purchases are available to your account, you may see Add credits after reaching your ChatGPT Work or Codex limit. You can also buy credits from Settings > Usage in ChatGPT or Usage & Billing in the Codex app.
Credits apply to eligible activity on the same account after your included usage is used. Buying credits does not change your Free or Go plan or increase your included usage limit. If Add credits is not shown, credit purchases are not available to your account yet. You may still be able to view and use an existing credit balance.
Available purchase amounts, prices, payment methods, spending limits, and feature availability can vary by account, region, and plan. These credits are not API credits.
Can I use automatic reload with credits?
If automatic reload is available to your account, you can turn it on from Settings > Usage in ChatGPT or Usage & Billing in the Codex app. When your credit balance drops below your selected minimum balance, we automatically purchase enough credits to return it to your selected target balance, up to any maximum monthly spend you set, using your default payment method on file. If your balance is already below the minimum when you turn it on, a purchase may happen right away. The maximum monthly spend applies to automatic reloads, not one-time credit purchases.
Are credits refundable?
Credits are non-refundable, except where required by law. We may restore credits in cases of confirmed account compromise (see below).
Do credits expire or roll over?
Credits are valid for 12 months from purchase. Unused credits expire and do not roll over after the expiry date.
What happens if credits are used due to a compromised account?
If your account is compromised and credits are used without authorization, report the incident immediately using the Unauthorized Activity webform and contact OpenAI Support using the chat bubble in the bottom-right corner of this page. We will investigate the incident, restore lost credits if misuse is confirmed, and assist with password resets and security controls. We also recommend that you take immediate steps to secure the account by following the steps outlined here: How can I report fraud or suspicious activity?
Are credits transferable?
Credits are non-transferable, have no cash value, and cannot be resold or gifted.
What terms govern the purchase of credits?
Credits are subject to the above and the Service credit terms.