> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.laozhang.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # GPT Image 2.6 is live: images in as little as 8 seconds, animated GIFs and SVG vectors from one request, official OpenAI pricing > gpt-image-2.6-flare and gpt-image-2.6-sunburst are now available in LaoZhang API's official-forward groups. Flare returns a 1024 image in 8–12 seconds, both models can output animated GIFs and SVG vectors, and token prices match OpenAI; the default group gets a $0.03 per-image VIP version. Per-image costs by quality, the GIF and SVG requests, and when to stay on 2.5. GPT Image 2.6, OpenAI's newest image model, is live on LaoZhang API in Flare and Sunburst variants, through official forwarding and as a per-image VIP version. One request returns a looping GIF or an editable SVG, and Flare renders a 1024 image in 8–12 seconds. Token prices match OpenAI and GPT Image 2.5. * **Published**: November 5, 2026 * **Last verified**: November 5, 2026 * **Status**: Active ## At a glance | Item | Details | | - | - | | Models | `gpt-image-2.6-flare` (fast), `gpt-image-2.6-sunburst` (more detail, steadier edits) | | Endpoints | Generate with `POST /v1/images/generations`, edit with `POST /v1/images/edits` | | Token | Group `OpenAI Official` or `OpenAI Official Enterprise`; billing mode **Usage first** or **Usage-based** | | Price | Per token: text input \$5, image input \$8, image output \$30 per 1M tokens, the same as OpenAI and GPT Image 2.5; the Enterprise group adds 20% | | Speed | 1024×1024: Flare 8–12 s (`low` to `high`), Sunburst about 35–60 s | | New | `output_format: "gif"` returns a looping animation; `output_format: "svg"` returns an SVG vector image (enabled the afternoon of November 5); `complexity` controls scene complexity at no extra cost | | Per-call routes | `gpt-image-2.6-flare-vip` and `gpt-image-2.6-sunburst-vip`: \$0.03 per image in the `default` group (live the evening of November 5), `quality` up to `high`, no GIF or SVG; the web model is still 2.5 | Times are single runs against OpenAI on November 5 and vary with queueing. The [model and pricing list](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/models.md) is the price of record. ![GPT Image 2.6 Flare render of a rainy Taipei night market with sharp small text on neon signs and reflections on the wet street](https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/12rpJOJJXqwT-_gR/images/samples/gpt26-flare-high.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=12rpJOJJXqwT-_gR\&q=85\&s=edc6ff72458157d6c582991b4d931794) gpt-image-2.6-flare, 1536×1024, high, 12 s ![Looping GIF from GPT Image 2.6 Flare: an orange cat stretching and yawning on a rainy windowsill](https://mintcdn.com/laozhangai-edd05f2c/12rpJOJJXqwT-_gR/images/samples/gpt26-en-gif.gif?s=b94485a5edd8435f6f655b736b977e39) GIF returned by gpt-image-2.6-flare: 512×512, 9 frames, about 11 s ## What you can build | Use case | Request | Result | | - | - | - | | Stickers, reactions, small product loops | `"output_format": "gif"`, `"size": "512x512"`, `"frame_count": 9` | A looping GIF in about 11 s for about \$0.06 | | Interactive apps that need fast images | Flare with `"quality": "low"` or `"high"` | 1024 images in 8–12 s | | Posters, signage and packaging with small text | Flare or Sunburst with `"quality": "high"` | Legible text at about \$0.053 per 1024 image | | Icons and logos as vectors | `"output_format": "svg"`, `"quality": "medium"` | An editable SVG that scales cleanly, about \$0.06 and 40 s for a simple icon | | Retouching and targeted edits | Sunburst on `/v1/images/edits` | Keeps layout and lighting, changes only what you ask | | 4K banners | `"size": "3840x2160"`, `"quality": "high"` | Native 4K for about \$0.10; Flare takes about 21 s | ## How to use it If you already call GPT Image 2.5 through an official-forward group, change only `model`: ```json theme={null} { "model": "gpt-image-2.6-flare", "quality": "high" } ``` Full request for a GIF: ```bash theme={null} export LAOZHANG_API_KEY="your-official-forward-group-key" curl https://api.laozhang.ai/v1/images/generations \ --max-time 300 \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $LAOZHANG_API_KEY" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{ "model": "gpt-image-2.6-flare", "prompt": "An orange cat stretches on a windowsill, then yawns while light rain falls outside, flat illustration style, looping animation", "output_format": "gif", "size": "512x512", "frame_count": 9, "frame_duration_ms": 200, "quality": "medium" }' ``` Decode `data[0].b64_json` and save it as a `.gif` file. GIF notes: * `frame_count` sets the number of frames (default 9). `frame_duration_ms` sets each frame's duration in milliseconds (default 200, minimum 20). * All frames are rendered on one sheet, so a small `size` with many frames fails with `No supported sheet fits`. `512x512` with 4–9 frames works as is. * GIF output does not support `stream`. For SVG, set `output_format` to `svg`. The text model that writes the SVG defaults to `gpt-6.1-terra` and can be changed with `svg.model`; see [Generate SVG vector images](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/api-capabilities/gpt-image-2-5.md#generate-svg-vector-images). Parameters, edit requests and transparent backgrounds are covered in the [GPT Image 2.5 / 2.6 guide](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/api-capabilities/gpt-image-2-5.md#gpt-image-2-6-via-official-forwarding). ## Cost per image by quality Image output tokens and cost for one 1024×1024 image in the `OpenAI Official` group, measured on November 5. The prompt is billed as text input and usually costs under \$0.001. Reference images in edits are billed as image input, about \$0.008 for one 1024 image. | `quality` | 2.6 output tokens | 2.6 per image | 2.5 per image | | - | -: | -: | -: | | `low` | 824 | \$0.025 | \$0.006 | | `medium` | 1,449 | \$0.043 | \$0.013 | | `high` | 1,756 | \$0.053 | \$0.053 | | `xhigh` | 3,122 | \$0.094 | \$0.094 | | `max` | 7,024 | \$0.211 | \$0.211 | * From `high` up, both generations cost the same. For high-quality output, switch to 2.6: same price, and Flare is faster (2.5 Flare `high` takes about 27 s). * At `low` and `medium`, 2.6 uses 3–4 times as many tokens as 2.5. For large batches of drafts or thumbnails, 2.5 is cheaper. * Landscape `1536x1024` uses fewer tokens than square: 664 at `low`, 1,353 at `high`. * **Always send `quality`.** Without it, Flare picks a level from the prompt, and a detailed prompt can use about 5,800 tokens for one 1024 image (about \$0.17). Sunburst defaults to `high`. ## Who is affected * **Official-forward group users**: you can switch to 2.6 with the same token. The 2.5 official-forward models stay available. * **`default` and other per-call group users**: `gpt-image-2.6-flare-vip` and `gpt-image-2.6-sunburst-vip` are new at \$0.03 per image, with the same token. The 2.5 VIP models and the web model are unchanged. * **Existing code that calls `gpt-image-2.5-*`**: not affected. ## FAQ ### Can a default-group token call 2.6? Yes, with the VIP model names `gpt-image-2.6-flare-vip` or `gpt-image-2.6-sunburst-vip`, at \$0.03 per image: * `quality` goes up to high. xhigh or max returns 400 and is not charged. * Output is PNG only. GIF and SVG return `400`; use official forwarding for those. The 2.6 model names without the -vip suffix are official-forward only. Create a token in [Token management](https://api.laozhang.ai/token) with group `OpenAI Official` or `OpenAI Official Enterprise` and billing mode **Usage first** or **Usage-based**. See [GPT Image 2.6 VIP per image](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/api-capabilities/gpt-image-2-5.md#gpt-image-2-6-vip-per-image). ### Should I use 2.6 or 2.5? * Animated GIFs or SVG vectors: 2.6 only. * `high` quality or above: 2.6, at the same price and faster with Flare. * Large volumes of `low` drafts or thumbnails: 2.5 costs less. * A fixed \$0.03 per image: 2.6 VIP up to `high`, 2.5 VIP when you need `xhigh` or `max`. ### Do Flare and Sunburst cost the same? Yes. The same size and quality use the same number of tokens. Flare is faster; Sunburst is slower and better suited to detailed scenes and careful edits. ### What does complexity do? `complexity` controls how complex the scene is and does not change the price: * Values: `low`, `medium` or `high`; the default is `high`. * Token usage stays the same at a given quality level. ### How is SVG billed? In two parts, both at official rates: * The reference image is billed by quality and size, like any other image. * Writing the SVG is billed at the rate of the text model used. A simple icon costs about \$0.012–0.015 with the default `gpt-6.1-terra` and about \$0.09–0.16 if you choose `gpt-5.5`. More complex scenes produce longer SVG code, so cost and time go up; SVG works best for icons and simple graphics. A model comparison is in [Generate SVG vector images](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/api-capabilities/gpt-image-2-5.md#generate-svg-vector-images). ### Am I charged for failed requests? No charge when the upstream returns a non-200 response, including parameter errors and moderation blocks. See [Billing and failures](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/api-capabilities/image-billing-and-failures.md). ## Sources and related links * [OpenAI API pricing](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing): token prices for GPT Image 2.6 Flare and Sunburst (checked November 5) * [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation): GIF and SVG output, `complexity` and other parameters * [GPT Image 2.5 / 2.6 guide](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/api-capabilities/gpt-image-2-5.md): routes, groups, billing and examples * [Model and pricing list](https://docs.laozhang.ai/en/models.md), [usage logs](https://api.laozhang.ai/log) This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.