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# GPT Image 2.5 vs GPT Image 2.6 — What Changed | Clip Studio

> GPT Image 2.5 vs GPT Image 2.6: same 4 ad sizes, edits, and quote at the same size. 2.6 plans each image with a reasoning step before it draws. Compare specs and try both online.

Canonical page: https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models/gpt-image-2-5-vs-gpt-image-2-6

## Intent

Two generations of OpenAI’s default image model, with the same four ad sizes, the same edit support, and the same quote at the same size. ChatGPT Image 2.6 adds a separate reasoning step before it draws, which Image Lab runs at high.

## Spec table

| Spec | ChatGPT Image 2.5 | ChatGPT Image 2.6 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Modes | Text to image · Image to image | Text to image · Image to image |
| Edit from a still | Yes, one source still | Yes, one source still |
| Aspect ratios | 4: 9:16, 1:1, 4:5, 16:9 | 4: 9:16, 1:1, 4:5, 16:9 |
| Size in Image Lab | 1024 × 1024 at 1:1 | 1024 × 1024 at 1:1 |
| Output | Raster still | Raster still |
| Prompt length | Up to 8 KB | Up to 8 KB |
| Large source stills | No extra scaling | No extra scaling |
| Best for | Product shots and image-to-image edits. | Product shots, layouts with text, and edits that change only what you ask. |

## Which to pick

- Pick ChatGPT Image 2.5 when you want to match a look you already made with it.
- Pick ChatGPT Image 2.6 for new work, especially busy layouts and edits that must change only what you ask.

ChatGPT Image 2.5 and ChatGPT Image 2.6 share the same Image Lab envelope: the four ad sizes (16:9, 1:1, 4:5, 9:16), text-to-image, and edits from one source still. They are quoted the same at the same size and input, so the choice is not cost. ChatGPT Image 2.6 is the newer model. It splits a reasoning step out from rendering quality, and Image Lab runs both at high. Clip Studio does not publish a quality benchmark, so run the same prompt on both and keep the one you like. Each model also has a Sunburst variant for intricate detail.

## FAQs

### What changed from GPT Image 2.5 to GPT Image 2.6?

GPT Image 2.6 adds a separate reasoning step that plans the image before it draws. Rendering quality is now its own setting. Image Lab runs 2.6 at high quality with high reasoning. On fal, 2.6 also offers markup edits and GIF output, which Image Lab does not offer yet.

### Does GPT Image 2.6 use more of my plan?

No. In Image Lab both are quoted from the same size price table, so the same aspect ratio and input use the same share of the allowance. Both are included in every Clip Studio plan and use the same monthly generation allowance, and each setup is quoted in Image Lab before you generate. Plan details live on the pricing page.

### Do both support the same sizes and edits?

Yes. Both make the four ad sizes (16:9, 1:1, 4:5, 9:16) and edit from one source still.

### Are ChatGPT Image 2.5 and ChatGPT Image 2.6 free?

No. Both run in Image Lab, which is included in every Clip Studio plan, and every plan opens every Image Lab model. Clip Pro is $9 for your first month, then $19/mo.


## Related

- [ChatGPT Image 2.5](https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models/gpt-image-2-5.md)
- [ChatGPT Image 2.6](https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models/gpt-image-2-6.md)
- [Image Lab](https://clipstudio.ai/image-lab.md)
- [All image models](https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models.md)
- [ChatGPT Image 2.5 vs ChatGPT Image 2.5 Sunburst](https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models/gpt-image-2-5-vs-gpt-image-2-5-sunburst.md)
- [Nano Banana 2.1 vs ChatGPT Image 2.5](https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models/nano-banana-2-1-vs-gpt-image-2-5.md)
- [ChatGPT Image 2.5 vs Seedream 5 Pro](https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models/gpt-image-2-5-vs-seedream-5-pro.md)
- [Ideogram V4.5 vs ChatGPT Image 2.5 for text in images](https://clipstudio.ai/ai-image-models/ideogram-v4-5-vs-gpt-image-2-5.md)