# How to use GPT Image 2: a step-by-step guide

GPT Image 2 is OpenAI's gpt-image-2 image model: it writes clean text, follows long instructions and edits photos from up to 16 reference images. This tutorial shows how to use it on GPT Image Hub, from your first image to edits and final 4K files, then how the same prompts work in ChatGPT and through the API.

URL: https://www.gptimagehub.com/guides/how-to-use-gpt-image-2
Published: 2026-11-06
Updated: 2026-11-06

## How to use GPT Image 2 in four steps

Sign in to GPT Image Hub and open the generator with GPT Image 2 selected. Write a prompt that describes the subject, setting, light, any exact text in quotes and the format. Choose an aspect ratio and a resolution (1K for drafts, 2K or 4K for finals), attach reference images if you are editing, and press generate. On the Saver version each image costs 5 credits whatever the size, and new accounts get 25 free credits, enough for 5 images.

## Before you start

- Browsing and copying prompts from the library needs no account. Generating images needs a free GPT Image Hub account with a verified email.
- New accounts get 25 free credits, one sign-up bonus per person. Accounts on free credits alone can make up to 10 images an hour.
- There are two versions in the model picker. GPT Image 2 Saver costs a flat 5 credits per image (about $0.005–$0.007) at any size and quality. GPT Image 2 is priced by quality and resolution, from 5 credits at low quality and 1K to 570 at high quality and 4K.

## Step 1: Write your first GPT Image 2 prompt

Open the [generator with GPT Image 2 Saver](https://www.gptimagehub.com/generate?model=gpt-image-2-saver) and type what you want to see. A useful first prompt covers five things in plain sentences:

| Part | Example |
| --- | --- |
| Subject | A cheerful orange fox holding a paintbrush |
| Setting or background | On a plain white background |
| Style and light | Flat vector sticker, thick outline, soft colors |
| Exact text | The word "CREATE" in rounded letters under the fox |
| Format | Square, centered, with margin around it |

Not sure where to start? Copy one of the [best ChatGPT image prompts](https://www.gptimagehub.com/guides/best-chatgpt-image-prompts) or any template in the [prompt library](https://www.gptimagehub.com); "Use template" fills the generator for you.

## Step 2: Choose the aspect ratio, resolution and quality

- Aspect ratio: auto, or one of 15 fixed ratios from 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 3:2, 2:3, 16:9, 9:16, 5:4, 4:5, 21:9, 9:21, 2:1, 1:2, 3:1, 1:3. Pick the shape of where the image will be used: 9:16 for stories, 16:9 for banners, 4:5 for feeds.
- Resolution: 1K for drafts and quick ideas, 2K for most finished images, 4K for print and large screens. On Saver the price is the same at every resolution.
- Quality (GPT Image 2 only): low, medium or high. Medium is the default; use high for dense text and fine detail once the composition is right.

| GPT Image 2 quality | 1K | 2K | 4K |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| low | 5 credits | 10 credits | 16 credits |
| medium | 43 credits | 86 credits | 143 credits |
| high | 169 credits | 343 credits | 570 credits |

GPT Image 2 Saver: 5 credits at every resolution and quality.

## Step 3: Generate, then refine one thing at a time

Press generate. Images usually arrive in 20 to 45 seconds; in our tests a 2048×1152 room took 23 seconds and a 4K poster 41 seconds. When a result is close, change one part of the prompt (the light, the camera angle, one line of text) rather than rewriting it, so you can see what each change does.

![Flat vector sticker of an orange fox holding a paintbrush made with GPT Image 2](https://www.gptimagehub.com/models/gpt-image-2-saver-fox-sticker.webp)
Sticker prompt at 1024×1024, low quality: 31 s.

![Scandinavian living room at golden hour made with GPT Image 2](https://www.gptimagehub.com/models/gpt-image-2-saver-living-room.webp)
2048×1152, medium quality: 23 s.

![Night market poster titled NIGHT BITES made with GPT Image 2](https://www.gptimagehub.com/models/gpt-image-2-saver-night-market.webp)
4K vertical poster, high quality: 41 s. Title and schedule text rendered as prompted.

## Step 4: Edit a photo or combine references

Attach up to 16 reference images to edit a photo, keep a product or character consistent, or merge several pictures into one. Write the edit as two lists: what must stay the same, and what should change.

#### Background swap

Edit · 1 reference

```text
Edit the reference photo: keep the product, its label and the lighting on it exactly the same. Replace the background with a plain light-gray studio wall and add a soft shadow under the product. No other changes.
```

Try it: https://www.gptimagehub.com/generate?model=gpt-image-2-saver&prompt=Edit+the+reference+photo%3A+keep+the+product%2C+its+label+and+the+lighting+on+it+exactly+the+same.+Replace+the+background+with+a+plain+light-gray+studio+wall+and+add+a+soft+shadow+under+the+product.+No+other+changes.

#### Combine two product shots

Edit · 2 references

```text
Combine the two reference images into one top-down studio flat-lay on a warm beige surface: the speaker on the left, the bottle and its box on the right. Keep every label and logo on the products unchanged.
```

Try it: https://www.gptimagehub.com/generate?model=gpt-image-2-saver&prompt=Combine+the+two+reference+images+into+one+top-down+studio+flat-lay+on+a+warm+beige+surface%3A+the+speaker+on+the+left%2C+the+bottle+and+its+box+on+the+right.+Keep+every+label+and+logo+on+the+products+unchanged.

![Studio flat-lay of a black speaker and an amber serum bottle combined from two reference images with GPT Image 2](https://www.gptimagehub.com/models/gpt-image-2-saver-flatlay-edit.webp)
Two Hub-generated product shots combined into one flat-lay, with the bottle and box text intact: 43 s.

Only edit photos of yourself or of people who agreed to it.

## GPT Image 2 prompt tips

- Quote every word that should appear in the image, and keep each line short. GPT Image 2 renders quoted text well; long paragraphs of on-image text are where it slips.
- Describe the light and the camera ("soft window light from the left, 35mm, eye level") instead of stacking words like "8k, masterpiece, ultra detailed".
- Say where empty space should go when you plan to add a headline later.
- For a series, keep one fixed description of the product or character and paste it unchanged into every prompt.
- Draft at 1K, then rerun the approved prompt at 2K or 4K.

Our [prompt guide](https://www.gptimagehub.com/guides/how-to-prompt-gpt-image-2-6) has a six-line template and before-and-after tests; it was written for GPT Image 2.6 and works the same way on GPT Image 2.

## Using GPT Image 2 in ChatGPT

ChatGPT creates images with OpenAI's GPT Image models, so the same prompts work there: type the prompt in a chat, attach a photo to edit it, and ask for changes in follow-up messages. When you need to choose the exact model, the resolution up to 4K, the quality level or up to 16 reference images, use a generator that exposes those settings, such as GPT Image Hub.

## Using the GPT Image 2 API

Developers can call GPT Image 2 as model gpt-image-2 through OpenAI's Images API, or through the GPT Image Hub API, which takes OpenAI-style requests and bills the same credits as the website. Create an API key in your account, then:

```
curl https://www.gptimagehub.com/api/v1/images/generations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $GPT_IMAGE_HUB_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "gpt-image-2",
    "prompt": "A cinematic product photo of a transparent perfume bottle on black marble",
    "size": "1024x1024",
    "quality": "high",
    "n": 1
  }'
```

The [API docs](https://www.gptimagehub.com/api-docs) list every model, size and parameter, including reference-image uploads.

## Common mistakes

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| Misspelled words in the image | Put the text in quotes, shorten it, and raise quality to high |
| The edit changed more than you asked | List what must stay the same first, then the one change |
| Generic, flat-looking result | Name the light source, the camera angle and the setting |
| Wrong shape for where it will be used | Set the aspect ratio instead of describing it in the prompt |
| "Out of credits" before you expected | Use the Saver version, which costs the same at every size |

## GPT Image 2 FAQ

### How do I use GPT Image 2?

Open a generator that offers GPT Image 2, such as GPT Image Hub, write a prompt describing the subject, setting, light, text and format, choose an aspect ratio and resolution, and generate. Attach reference images to edit photos.

### Is GPT Image 2 free?

GPT Image 2 is a paid OpenAI model, but new GPT Image Hub accounts get 25 free credits, which cover 5 images on GPT Image 2 Saver. After that, Saver images cost 5 credits each.

### Can I use GPT Image 2 without logging in?

You can browse and copy prompts without an account, but generating images on GPT Image Hub needs a free account with a verified email, so free credits and your images are tied to you.

### What is a good GPT Image 2 prompt?

A few plain sentences that name the subject, the setting, the composition, the light, any exact text in quotes, and the format. Change one thing at a time when refining.

### Does GPT Image 2 have an API?

Yes. OpenAI offers it as gpt-image-2 in the Images API, and GPT Image Hub has its own API with the same request shape, billed in credits. See the API docs.

### Should I use GPT Image 2 or GPT Image 2.5?

GPT Image 2.5 adds xhigh and max quality, transparent backgrounds and lower latency. GPT Image 2 Saver is the cheapest OpenAI model on the Hub and fine for most everyday images. See the [GPT Image 2.5 guide](https://www.gptimagehub.com/guides/gpt-image-2-5).

## Sources

Settings, prices and limits are from GPT Image Hub's configuration; timings are from our own generations.

- [OpenAI image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation)
- [GPT Image Hub API documentation](https://www.gptimagehub.com/api-docs)

## Keep exploring

- [GPT Image 2 model guide](https://www.gptimagehub.com/models/gpt-image-2)
- [GPT Image 2 Saver model guide](https://www.gptimagehub.com/models/gpt-image-2-saver)
- [GPT Image 2 prompts](https://www.gptimagehub.com/gpt-image-2-prompts)
- [Best ChatGPT image prompts](https://www.gptimagehub.com/guides/best-chatgpt-image-prompts)
- [GPT Image 2.5 guide](https://www.gptimagehub.com/guides/gpt-image-2-5)
- [Pricing](https://www.gptimagehub.com/pricing)