OpenAI: GPT Image 2.6 Flare

GPT Image 2.6 Flare is the fast model in OpenAI's 2.6 image generation, made for quick iteration. It creates images from written directions and edits supplied images, which suits drafts, variations and everyday visual changes.

Compare models

gpt-image-2.6-flare

AvailableOpenAIImageSync / AsyncCached input 75% less

Input / Output-30%: $5.00 / $30.00$3.50 / $21.00
Modalities: Image

About GPT Image 2.6 Flare

GPT Image 2.6 Flare is OpenAI's fast image model in the 2.6 generation, made for quick iteration. It creates images from text and edits images you supply, through image generation and image edit requests. Choose it for drafts, variations, and everyday changes to a picture, then move to GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst when a composition needs close attention to detail.

Where it works well

OpenAI describes it as the 2.6 model for fast iteration, so a draft-and-adjust loop stays short.
One model covers text-to-image generation and editing of images you supply, so a concept and its revisions stay in one workflow.
It suits batches of variations: try several wordings or compositions before spending effort on a final version.
It runs through the image generation and image edit endpoints, with images as the only output.

When to choose another model

Sunburst is the 2.6 model OpenAI points to for detailed visual work, so use that one when a scene needs close attention to detail.
OpenAI's 2.6 extras, including complexity control, markup-guided edits, and SVG or GIF output, are not offered here yet.
It returns images only; it cannot write copy or answer questions about a picture.

Getting started

Create API key
Create a key in Console, then use it with every model on the platform.

Send your first request

Copy the example for your language and run it against the endpoint.

Image editingText to imageTokenLab endpoint

POST/v1/images/generations

curl -X POST "https://api.tokenlab.sh/v1/images/generations" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-xxx" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "operation": "text-to-image",
  "quality": "auto",
  "size": "auto",
  "model": "gpt-image-2.6-flare",
  "prompt": "A minimalist product photo of matte black headphones on a soft blue background."
}'

Parameters

Image editing

Parameter	Values and limits	Default	Notes
`async`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`background`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`compression`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`file_id`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`image`	Inputs: ≥ 1, ≤ 16	Not provided	Use at least one and at most 16 source images in total across URL, upload and file references. A mask applies to the first image.
`image_url`	Inputs: ≥ 1, ≤ 1	Not provided	Not provided
`image_urls`	Inputs: ≥ 1, ≤ 16	Not provided	Not provided
`images`	Inputs: ≥ 1, ≤ 16	Not provided	Not provided
`mask`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`moderation`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`n`	Not provided	`1`	Defaults to one output image. The model-specific maximum is not yet verified for this public operation.
`operation`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`output_compression`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`output_format`	png, jpeg, webp	Not provided	Not provided
`prompt`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`quality`	Not provided	Not provided	standard maps to medium and hd maps to high. The complete model-specific quality list and the platform default are not yet verified for this operation.
`response_format`	Not provided	Not provided	The public image response selector accepts url or b64_json. A URL-only supply rejects b64_json before upstream execution. Omit this field to keep the selected supply response representation; no uniform omitted-field default is declared here.
`size`	Not provided	Not provided	Size accepts `auto` or WIDTHxHEIGHT. Custom dimensions must both be multiples of 16, max edge <= 3840px, long/short ratio <= 3:1, and total pixels between 655,360 and 8,294,400.
`user`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided

GPT Image 2 accepts `background=auto` or `background=opaque`; transparent backgrounds are not supported by the model.

Image edits accept multipart image uploads, JSON image_url, JSON image_urls, or a JSON images array with image_url/file_id references. Create file IDs through TokenLab /v1/files. Up to 16 source images are supported; a supplied mask applies to the first image.

Text to image

Parameter	Values and limits	Default	Notes
`async`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`background`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`compression`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`moderation`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`n`	Not provided	`1`	Defaults to one output image. The model-specific maximum is not yet verified for this public operation.
`operation`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`output_compression`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`output_format`	png, jpeg, webp	Not provided	Not provided
`prompt`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided
`quality`	Not provided	Not provided	standard maps to medium and hd maps to high. The complete model-specific quality list and the platform default are not yet verified for this operation.
`response_format`	Not provided	Not provided	The public image response selector accepts url or b64_json. A URL-only supply rejects b64_json before upstream execution. Omit this field to keep the selected supply response representation; no uniform omitted-field default is declared here.
`size`	Not provided	Not provided	Size accepts `auto` or WIDTHxHEIGHT. Custom dimensions must both be multiples of 16, max edge <= 3840px, long/short ratio <= 3:1, and total pixels between 655,360 and 8,294,400.
`user`	Not provided	Not provided	Not provided

Use response_format to select URL or base64 image output from TokenLab.

GPT Image 2 accepts `background=auto` or `background=opaque`; transparent backgrounds are not supported by the model.

Size accepts `auto` or WIDTHxHEIGHT. Custom dimensions must both be multiples of 16, max edge <= 3840px, long/short ratio <= 3:1, and total pixels between 655,360 and 8,294,400.

Use response_format to select URL or base64 image output from TokenLab.

Image streaming and partial-image delivery are not supported. TokenLab rejects stream=true, partial_images, and input_fidelity.

Pricing

The Verified price applies to Verified, which costs less on most models. The Official price is the model maker's published price and applies to the more reliable Official route. Auto bills the route that completes the request.

Text to image / Image editing · Image

per 1M tokens

Official price: Input $5.00 / Output $30.00 / Text Input $5.00 / Text Input · Cache read $1.25 / Image Input $8.00 / Image Input · Cache read $2.00 / Image Output $30.00
Verified price: Input $3.50 / Output $21.00 / Text Input $3.50 / Text Input · Cache read $0.875 / Image Input $5.60 / Image Input · Cache read $1.40 / Image Output $21.00
Discount: -30%

Default spec

per 1M tokens

Official price: Cache read $1.25
Verified price: Cache read $0.875
Discount: -30%

Prompt cache pricing

Cache read

Official price: $1.25
Verified price: $0.875
Discount: -30%

	Official priceper 1M tokens	Verified priceper 1M tokens	Discount
Text to image / Image editing · Image	Input $5.00 / Output $30.00 / Text Input $5.00 / Text Input · Cache read $1.25 / Image Input $8.00 / Image Input · Cache read $2.00 / Image Output $30.00	Input $3.50 / Output $21.00 / Text Input $3.50 / Text Input · Cache read $0.875 / Image Input $5.60 / Image Input · Cache read $1.40 / Image Output $21.00	-30%
Default spec	Cache read $1.25	Cache read $0.875	-30%
Prompt cache pricing
Cache read	$1.25	$0.875	-30%

Usage & activity

Success rate is the share of requests that completed. Latency is how long a full response takes; P95 means 95% of requests finished within that time.

Usage & availability

Last 24 hours

Requests
Success rate
P95 latency
Total tokens

Model performance

Last updated Nov 5, 2026, 11:26 PM UTC

Metrics appear once privacy and data volume thresholds are met.

Data is based on aggregate user requests, excluding status checks.

Open in Console

Open GPT Image 2.6 Flare in Console with a prompt ready to edit or send.

Help me create an image with gpt-image-2.6-flare using text-to-image at /v1/images/generations. Show the result, cost, and any limits I should know.

Use cases

Best for

Text to Image

Concept drafts
Test a visual idea in a few minutes and decide on a direction before you invest in a detailed version.
Variation sets
Produce several alternative takes on a layout, color scheme, or scene, and pick one to refine.
Quick photo edits
Change one thing in a supplied photo, such as the background, a prop, or the time of day, and check the result before the next tweak.
Everyday visuals
Make article headers, slide illustrations, and social images where a quick turnaround matters more than fine detail.

Prompt examples

A flat illustration of a small bakery at dawn, warm light in the windows, soft pastel palette.

Take the attached product photo and place it on a light wooden table, with the shadow of a window falling across the left side.

Redraw this app icon with a gradient fill instead of a flat color, keeping the leaf shape and the rounded corners.

This model has conditional pricing. Monthly token totals alone cannot produce a reliable estimate; use the detailed pricing for the request specification, cache, and applicable time window.

FAQ

What is GPT Image 2.6 Flare?

OpenAI's fast model in the 2.6 image generation, described as made for fast iteration. It creates images from text and edits images you supply, through the image generation and image edit endpoints.

How does Flare differ from Sunburst?

Flare is the fast model, meant for quick iteration on drafts and variations. Sunburst is OpenAI's 2.6 model for detailed visual work, suited to detailed compositions and edits. You can explore with Flare, then turn to Sunburst when a result needs more detail.

Can Flare edit my own images?

Yes. Send an image with a written instruction through the image edit endpoint, and the model returns an edited image. Text-to-image generation uses the image generation endpoint.

Which GPT Image 2.6 features are not available yet?

OpenAI documents complexity control, markup-guided edits, and SVG and GIF output for the 2.6 models. These are not offered here yet. What is offered is text-to-image generation and image editing, so check the model page for the current options.

What does Flare return?

Images only. You send a prompt, or a prompt with a reference image, and receive finished pictures. It does not return text, audio, or video, so pair it with a chat model if you need captions or copy.

How much does GPT Image 2.6 Flare cost?

On TokenLab, GPT Image 2.6 Flare costs Input $3.50 / Output $21.00 per 1M tokens. The pricing table above shows the full breakdown. Rates depend on the billing unit, specification, and usage. Compare matching conditions in the model's detailed pricing; a single rate does not determine the total cost.

Which endpoint should GPT Image 2.6 Flare use?

Use https://api.tokenlab.sh/v1/images/generations for GPT Image 2.6 Flare. The request example below shows the matching code shape.

Which operations does GPT Image 2.6 Flare support?

GPT Image 2.6 Flare supports Image editing, Text to image. Select an operation above to see its endpoint and request example.