Overview
DALL-E 3 is the third-generation image generation model from OpenAI, designed to create high-quality images that closely follow detailed text prompts. It is deeply integrated with ChatGPT so users can describe, refine, and iterate on images conversationally, without complex prompt engineering.
Pricing
ChatGPT Plus / Teams
- Included as part of ChatGPT Plus at around 20 USD per month, with bundled access to DALL-E 3 image generation in the ChatGPT interface.
- Ideal for creators and small teams that need both text and image generation in one subscription.
API Usage
- API pricing ranges roughly from 0.04 to 0.12 USD per image depending on resolution and Standard vs HD quality.platform.
- Best for apps, automations, and products that integrate DALL-E 3 for on-demand image generation.
Freemium & Bundled Access
- Limited free credits for new OpenAI accounts and some access via Microsoft Bing Image Creator.
- Useful for testing capabilities before committing to a subscription or large-scale API use.
Key Features
- High-fidelity prompt adherence – Generates images that accurately reflect complex, nuanced text descriptions.
- Chat-integrated workflow – Users can iteratively refine images through ChatGPT by asking for adjustments and variations.
- Standard & HD quality – Multiple quality tiers and resolutions up to 1024×1024 and rectangular formats.
- Improved safety & filters – Stronger safety systems and content filters to reduce harmful or disallowed outputs.
- Commercial usage rights – Users generally retain rights to use, sell, and commercialize their generated images under OpenAI’s terms.
Best Use Cases
- Marketing & creative content – Ad creatives, social visuals, blog images, and branded assets.
- Illustration & design – Concept art, storyboards, book covers, and UI mockups created from natural language.
- Product & logo concepts – Early-stage product imagery, logo ideas, and packaging visuals for brainstorming.
- Education & storytelling – Visual aids for lessons, presentations, and narrative illustrations.
- Rapid prototyping – Designers and founders can quickly test visual directions before commissioning human designers.
Pros
- ✅ Excellent prompt alignment – Better at following natural language instructions than many earlier models, reducing prompt-engineering overhead.
- ✅ Tight ChatGPT integration – Frictionless flow from idea to image, with conversational refinement built in.
- ✅ Balanced cost & quality – Clear per-image pricing on API and good value when bundled with ChatGPT Plus.platform.
- ✅ Strong safety & rights – Improved safety filters and clear commercial usage terms for generated images.
Cons
- ❌ Less control than pro art tools – Fewer fine-grained style controls compared to some specialist art platforms.
- ❌ Usage limits & costs – Heavy users must watch token/image limits, especially on Plus and higher HD tiers.platform.
- ❌ Content restrictions – Safety filters can block some legitimate edge cases, which may frustrate power users.
Official Website
DALL-E 3 – Overview and docs: https://openai.com/dall-e-3 and OpenAI platform docs.
Release Date: October 2023
Last Updated: December 2025