9 questions answered. Every answer sourced.
GPT Image 2.5: OpenAI's Latest Image Model
GPT Image 2.5 powers ChatGPT Images 2.5 and OpenAI's image API. It comes in two versions, one for quality and one for speed. Here is what is new and how to get good results.
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Facts checked against official announcements and documentation, October 2026 · Last updated October 2026
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01 · Basics
What GPT Image 2.5 is
Two models share one name; choose by speed or quality.
What is GPT Image 2.5?
OpenAI's newest image model for generating and editing images, used by ChatGPT Images 2.5 and available in the API. It improves precise editing and keeps subjects consistent across edits.
Source: OpenAI API: GPT Image prompting guide; OpenAI Community: Introducing GPT Images 2.5 in the API and ChatGPT
What is the difference between Sunburst and Flare?
Sunburst is the base model, optimised for quality, with higher image quality than GPT Image 2. Flare is the smaller model, optimised for speed, with quality comparable to GPT Image 2.
Who can use ChatGPT Images 2.5?
OpenAI rolled it out to all ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work and Codex users across desktop, mobile and web. Free accounts have lower limits than paid plans.
Source: OpenAI Community: Introducing GPT Images 2.5 in the API and ChatGPT
02 · API
Using GPT Image 2.5 in the API
The API exposes size and quality controls that ChatGPT handles for you.
What are the GPT Image 2.5 model IDs?
gpt-image-2.5-sunburst for quality and gpt-image-2.5-flare for speed.
Source: OpenAI API: GPT Image prompting guide; OpenAI API: GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst model
What sizes does GPT Image 2.5 support?
Auto or custom sizes, including 1024x1024, 1536x1024, 2048x2048 and 4K at 3840x2160 or 2160x3840. Total pixels must be between 655,360 and 8,294,400, and outputs above 2560x1440 are experimental.
Does GPT Image 2.5 support transparent backgrounds?
Yes. Both Sunburst and Flare support image generation, editing and transparent backgrounds.
03 · Prompts
Prompting GPT Image 2.5
Describe the image like a brief to a designer.
How do I write good GPT Image 2.5 prompts?
State the subject, setting, style, composition, lighting and any exact text to include. For edits, say what must stay unchanged. OpenAI's image prompting guide has worked examples.
Does GPT Image 2.5 use negative prompts?
There is no separate negative prompt setting; say what to avoid in plain language within the prompt, for example no text in the background.
Where can I find GPT Image prompts to copy?
Our GPT Image 2 prompts library works with GPT Image 2.5 too, since prompting principles carry over.
Sources
Read and checked October 2026. Policies change, so confirm anything time-sensitive on the source page.