OpenAI Retires DALL-E 3; ChatGPT Images Now Run on GPT Image 2
Before
DALL-E 3 in ChatGPT and the API
After
GPT Image 2 in ChatGPT; gpt-image-2 with token pricing in the API
What changed
OpenAI retired DALL-E 3 on May 12, 2026, in both ChatGPT and the API. Its successor, GPT Image 2 (branded ChatGPT Images 2.0), launched on April 21, 2026 and now powers image generation in ChatGPT.
Before / After
| Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
| Model in ChatGPT | DALL-E 3 | GPT Image 2 |
| API | Per-image pricing | Token-based pricing (gpt-image-2) |
| How to get it | ChatGPT Free (limited) or Plus | ChatGPT Free (limited), Go ($8), Plus ($20), Pro ($100–$200) |
What this means for you
ChatGPT users don't need to do anything: image generation still comes with your plan, and the new model renders at native 2K with better text.
Developers still calling DALL-E 3 in the API need to move to gpt-image-2, gpt-image-1 or gpt-image-1-mini, and should re-estimate costs because billing is now per token instead of per image.
Related
Sources
Verified: September 27, 2026