GPT Image 2.6 API
OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 — text-to-image and edit endpoints in two tiers, Flare (fast) and Sunburst (precision-focused), with five quality levels from low to max, a complexity control for layout planning, animated GIF and vector SVG output, mask and markup editing, 1K / 2K / 4K output, fifteen aspect ratios, and edits grounded in up to 16 reference images.
Four endpoints on one family: openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare and openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst, each with text-to-image and edit. Flare returns images in seconds for everyday generation; Sunburst takes longer per image for higher fidelity and steadier details across repeated edits. Both take the same parameters — quality (low / medium / high / xhigh / max), complexity (low / medium / high), resolution (1k / 2k / 4k), fifteen aspect ratios from 1:3 to 3:1, png / jpeg / webp output, plus animated GIF and SVG for text-to-image, and a mask or markup layer for edits — and cost the same, from $0.045 per image.
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Overview
About the GPT Image 2.6 API
What GPT Image 2.6 does, how it fits in the OpenAI model lineup, and why teams reach for it.
GPT Image 2.6 is a image generation and editing model from OpenAI, available through the WaveSpeedAI REST API. OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 — text-to-image and edit endpoints in two tiers, Flare (fast) and Sunburst (precision-focused), with five quality levels from low to max, a complexity control for layout planning, animated GIF and vector SVG output, mask and markup editing, 1K / 2K / 4K output, fifteen aspect ratios, and edits grounded in up to 16 reference images.
Four endpoints on one family: openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare and openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst, each with text-to-image and edit. Flare returns images in seconds for everyday generation; Sunburst takes longer per image for higher fidelity and steadier details across repeated edits. Both take the same parameters — quality (low / medium / high / xhigh / max), complexity (low / medium / high), resolution (1k / 2k / 4k), fifteen aspect ratios from 1:3 to 3:1, png / jpeg / webp output, plus animated GIF and SVG for text-to-image, and a mask or markup layer for edits — and cost the same, from $0.045 per image.
The GPT Image 2.6 family on WaveSpeedAI ships 4 REST endpoints covering Image-To-Image, Text-To-Image workflows. Each variant carries its own pricing, parameter knobs, and example outputs — pick the one that matches your input modality and production constraints, or call several from the same API key to compose multi-step pipelines.
Run GPT Image 2.6 through the same API key, billing account, and rate-limit envelope you use for the other 1,000+ AI models on WaveSpeedAI. No separate vendor setup, no per-provider SDKs, no per-vendor rate-limit envelopes — one integration covers everything from text-to-image and text-to-video through audio synthesis, 3D generation, upscaling, and editing.
Specs
GPT Image 2.6 API capabilities and release status
The model-specific details developers search for before choosing an API: availability, expected output length, reference support, and the current live fallback.
Tiers
Flare / Sunburst
Flare for fast everyday generation; Sunburst for higher fidelity and steadier details across edits. Same price.
Quality levels
5
low / medium (default) / high / xhigh / max on every endpoint; complexity low / medium / high at no extra cost.
Output formats
PNG / JPEG / WebP / GIF / SVG
Animated GIF (2–16 frames) and vector SVG on text-to-image; PNG, JPEG, and WebP everywhere.
Editing
16 refs + mask / markup
Up to 16 reference images, with an optional mask or markup layer on the first image; 1K / 2K / 4K output.
Endpoints
All GPT Image 2.6 API endpoints
4 GPT Image 2.6 endpoints available now on WaveSpeedAI — pick the variant that matches your workflow.
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Gpt Image 2.6 Sunburst Edit
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst Edit transforms one or more reference images using natural-language instructions, with a focus on precision, visual fidelity, and consistent detail across iterative edits for polished creative work, brand assets, product imagery, and production workflows. Ready-to-use REST inference API.
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Gpt Image 2.6 Sunburst Text To Image
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst Text-to-Image generates high-quality images from natural-language prompts with a focus on precision, visual fidelity, and consistent detail, making it suitable for polished creative work, brand assets, product imagery, and production workflows. Ready-to-use REST inference API.
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Gpt Image 2.6 Flare Edit
GPT Image 2.6 Flare Edit transforms one or more reference images using natural-language instructions, with a focus on fast editing and rapid creative iteration for visual refinements, marketing assets, product imagery, and production workflows. Ready-to-use REST inference API.
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Gpt Image 2.6 Flare Text To Image
GPT Image 2.6 Flare Text-to-Image generates high-quality images from natural-language prompts with a focus on fast generation and rapid creative iteration, making it suitable for everyday image creation, concept development, marketing visuals, and production workflows. Ready-to-use REST inference API.
Examples
See GPT Image 2.6 in action
Real outputs generated by the GPT Image 2.6 API. Hover any video to preview, click to open the full-size viewer.
How to
How to use the GPT Image 2.6 API
Four steps from signup to a finished generation. Full Python, Node.js, and cURL examples are in the API section below.
- 01
Get an API key
Sign up for a WaveSpeedAI account and copy your API key from the dashboard. New accounts come with free starter credits — enough to run the playground a few dozen times before billing kicks in.
- 02
Submit a prediction
POST your input as JSON to https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image. The endpoint returns a prediction id immediately — generations are async so you don't hold an open connection during inference.
- 03
Poll for completion
GET https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/predictions/{request_id}/result. Return outputs on completed; stop with an error on failed, cancelled, timeout, or deleted; continue polling for every other status.
- 04
Read the output URL
Once status is "completed", read the URL from data.outputs[0]. The URL points to your generated media on the WaveSpeedAI CDN — image, video, audio, or 3D file depending on the GPT Image 2.6 variant you called.
Use cases
What you can build with GPT Image 2.6
Common workflows developers and creators use the GPT Image 2.6 API for.
Flare for speed, Sunburst for fidelity
openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image is the fast tier: images in seconds for drafts, social assets, and high-volume pipelines. openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst/text-to-image spends longer per image and keeps characters, products, and small details steadier from one edit to the next. Same prompt, same price; switching is a model-ID change.
Animated GIFs from one prompt
Set output_format to gif and text-to-image returns a looping animation: frame_count picks 2 to 16 frames (9 by default) and frame_duration_ms sets how long each frame shows (200 ms by default). Use it for stickers, loading animations, product spins, and short reaction loops without a video pipeline.
Vector SVG output
Set output_format to svg for a scalable vector file instead of pixels: icons, logos, flat illustrations, and diagrams that stay sharp at any size and open directly in design tools. Every SVG is returned as clean, static vector content.
Mask and markup editing
The edit endpoints take an optional mask_image — white marks the area to change, black the area to keep — for precise inpainting, or a markup_image: a transparent overlay of circles, arrows, and notes drawn on the first input image to show where and how to edit it. Both are resized to the first image automatically.
Five quality levels, plus free complexity
The quality parameter runs low / medium / high / xhigh / max. Medium is the default at $0.075 per 1K image; low is a draft tier at $0.045; high, xhigh, and max add fidelity for hero and print assets, up to $0.36 per 1K image at max. The complexity parameter (high by default) sets how much the model plans before drawing and never changes the price.
Edit with up to 16 reference images
openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/edit and openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst/edit take a plain-language instruction plus up to 16 reference images. Move a product into a new scene, change lighting or styling, or rework an existing brand asset while keeping the subject intact. The output follows the first reference image's aspect ratio unless aspect_ratio is set.
Tips
Tips for prompting GPT Image 2.6
Practical advice for getting better outputs from GPT Image 2.6 — drawn from the patterns that work across image models in production pipelines.
- 01
Start on Flare, promote to Sunburst
Flare is the fast tier and the right default for iteration and volume. Re-run the shots that need it on Sunburst — edits that must keep a character or product consistent, intricate detail, small typography — since the two tiers take identical parameters and cost the same.
- 02
Leave complexity on high for dense prompts
Complexity is free: it changes how much the model plans, not the price. Keep the default high for multi-element scenes and layouts, and drop to low only when a simple prompt should come back a little faster.
- 03
Describe the motion for GIFs
A GIF is a short loop, so describe one simple action that returns to its start — a wave, a spin, a blink, an object crossing the frame. Fewer frames give a snappier loop; raise frame_duration_ms for a slower one.
- 04
Ask for flat shapes when you want SVG
SVG output works best for icons, logos, flat illustrations, and diagrams. Ask for flat colors and clean shapes; photographic detail does not translate into a compact vector file.
- 05
Use a mask for exact areas, markup for intent
Paint a mask when the change must stay inside a precise region. Draw markup — a circle and a short note — when you want to point at things and explain the edit, like "make this a teapot".
Pricing
GPT Image 2.6 API pricing
Pricing is per-output. The final charge scales with the parameters you set in each variant's playground (resolution, duration, output count, references).
| Endpoint | Type | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| openai/ | image-to-image | 5% OFF$0.09$0.0855 |
| openai/ | text-to-image | 5% OFF$0.075$0.0713 |
| openai/ | image-to-image | 5% OFF$0.09$0.0855 |
| openai/ | text-to-image | 5% OFF$0.075$0.0713 |
API
Call the GPT Image 2.6 API
Sign up for an API key at wavespeed.ai/accesskey, then submit a prediction via REST. The playground generates ready-to-paste samples for any combination of inputs.
POSThttps://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image
# 1. Submit the prediction.
SUBMIT_RESPONSE=$(curl --silent --show-error --fail-with-body \
-X POST "https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $WAVESPEED_API_KEY" \
-d '{
"prompt": "A cinematic shot of a city at sunset, soft golden light",
"aspect_ratio": "1:1",
"resolution": "1k",
"quality": "medium",
"complexity": "high",
"output_format": "png",
"frame_count": 9,
"frame_duration_ms": 200
}')
TASK=$(printf '%s' "$SUBMIT_RESPONSE" | jq 'if has("data") then .data else . end')
PREDICTION_ID=$(printf '%s' "$TASK" | jq -r '.id')
if [ -z "$PREDICTION_ID" ] || [ "$PREDICTION_ID" = "null" ]; then
printf 'Submission response did not contain a prediction id
' >&2
exit 1
fi
RESULT_URL="https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/predictions/$PREDICTION_ID/result"
# 2. Poll until the prediction finishes.
while true; do
RESPONSE=$(curl --silent --show-error --fail-with-body "$RESULT_URL" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $WAVESPEED_API_KEY")
RESULT=$(printf '%s' "$RESPONSE" | jq 'if has("data") then .data else . end')
STATUS=$(printf '%s' "$RESULT" | jq -r '.status')
case "$STATUS" in
completed) printf '%s\n' "$RESULT" | jq '.outputs'; break ;;
failed|cancelled|timeout|deleted) printf '%s\n' "$RESULT" | jq . >&2; exit 1 ;;
*) sleep 2 ;;
esac
doneconst submitUrl = "https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image";
const apiKey = process.env.WAVESPEED_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error('Set WAVESPEED_API_KEY');
async function requestJson(url, options = {}) {
const response = await fetch(url, options);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(await response.text());
return response.json();
}
// 1. Submit the prediction.
const body = await requestJson(submitUrl, {
method: "POST",
headers: {
"Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
"Content-Type": "application/json",
},
body: JSON.stringify({
"prompt": "A cinematic shot of a city at sunset, soft golden light",
"aspect_ratio": "1:1",
"resolution": "1k",
"quality": "medium",
"complexity": "high",
"output_format": "png",
"frame_count": 9,
"frame_duration_ms": 200
}),
});
const task = body.data ?? body;
const resultUrl = `https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/predictions/${task.id}/result`;
// 2. Poll until the prediction finishes.
while (true) {
const resultBody = await requestJson(resultUrl, {
headers: { "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}` },
});
const result = resultBody.data ?? resultBody;
if (result.status === "completed") {
console.log(result.outputs);
break;
}
if (["failed", "cancelled", "timeout", "deleted"].includes(result.status)) throw new Error(JSON.stringify(result));
await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 2000));
}import json
import os
import time
from urllib.request import Request, urlopen
api_key = os.environ["WAVESPEED_API_KEY"]
headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}", "Content-Type": "application/json"}
payload = {
"prompt": "A cinematic shot of a city at sunset, soft golden light",
"aspect_ratio": "1:1",
"resolution": "1k",
"quality": "medium",
"complexity": "high",
"output_format": "png",
"frame_count": 9,
"frame_duration_ms": 200
}
def request_json(url, data=None):
request = Request(url, data=data, headers=headers, method="POST" if data else "GET")
with urlopen(request) as response:
return json.load(response)
# 1. Submit the prediction.
body = request_json("https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image", json.dumps(payload).encode())
task = body.get("data", body)
result_url = f"https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/predictions/{task['id']}/result"
# 2. Poll until the prediction finishes.
while True:
result_body = request_json(result_url)
result = result_body.get("data", result_body)
status = result.get("status")
if status == "completed":
print(result.get("outputs", []))
break
if status in {"failed", "cancelled", "timeout", "deleted"}:
raise RuntimeError(result)
time.sleep(2)Compare
GPT Image 2.6 vs alternatives
When to pick GPT Image 2.6 over similar models on WaveSpeedAI.
GPT Image 2.6 vs GPT Image 2.5
GPT Image 2.6 adds animated GIF and SVG output, markup editing, the complexity control, faster Flare generation, and a Sunburst tier that keeps details steadier across repeated edits. Both offer five quality levels and mask editing; GPT Image 2.5 keeps lower prices at low and medium, so it stays the pick for cost-sensitive volume work. They share the same request shape and stay live side by side.
GPT Image 2.6 vs Nano Banana 2.1
Nano Banana 2.1 takes up to 14 reference images and offers optional web or image search grounding. GPT Image 2.6 answers with GIF and SVG output, mask and markup editing, a precision Sunburst tier for consistent edits, and an edit endpoint that accepts up to 16 reference images.
GPT Image 2.6 vs Seedream 5
Seedream 5 Pro leads on information-dense layouts, interactive precision editing, and layer separation. GPT Image 2.6 is the pick for prompt-faithful photography and in-image text, with animated GIF and vector SVG output and a fast Flare tier.
FAQ
GPT Image 2.6 API — Frequently asked questions
Pricing, license, integration — common questions about running GPT Image 2.6 on WaveSpeedAI.
What is the difference between GPT Image 2.6 Flare and Sunburst?
Flare is the fast tier, returning images in seconds for everyday generation. Sunburst is the precision-focused tier: it takes longer per image and keeps characters, products, and details more consistent across repeated edits. They take identical parameters and cost the same, so you can switch by changing the model ID.
How much does GPT Image 2.6 cost?
Text-to-image is priced per image by quality and resolution at 1K / 2K / 4K: low $0.045 / $0.075 / $0.135, medium $0.075 / $0.13 / $0.225, high $0.09 / $0.15 / $0.27, xhigh $0.16 / $0.27 / $0.48, and max $0.36 / $0.60 / $1.00. An animated GIF costs the image price × (1 + frame_count / 16), and SVG adds $0.015. Edit adds $0.015 per image, $0.015 for each reference image beyond the first, and $0.015 for a mask or markup layer. Flare and Sunburst share the same prices, and complexity does not change the price.
How do I create an animated GIF or an SVG?
On a text-to-image endpoint, set output_format to gif or svg. For GIFs, frame_count sets the number of frames (2–16, default 9) and frame_duration_ms the time each frame shows (20–2000 ms, default 200). GIF and SVG output are available for text-to-image only; edits return PNG, JPEG, or WebP.
How do mask_image and markup_image work?
Both apply to the first input image on the edit endpoints, and you use one or the other. mask_image is a black-and-white image where white marks the area to edit and black the area to keep (a PNG where transparent marks the area to edit also works). markup_image is a transparent PNG with circles, arrows, or notes drawn over the image to show where and how to change it. Either is resized to the first image automatically.
Is GPT Image 2.5 still available?
Yes. All four GPT Image 2.5 endpoints remain live alongside GPT Image 2.6, so existing pipelines can migrate on their own schedule. GPT Image 2.5 edit also accepts mask_image.
What is the GPT Image 2.6 API?
GPT Image 2.6 is a OpenAI image generation model exposed as a REST API on WaveSpeedAI. OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 — text-to-image and edit endpoints in two tiers, Flare (fast) and Sunburst (precision-focused), with five quality levels from low to max, a complexity control for layout planning, animated GIF and vector SVG output, mask and markup editing, 1K / 2K / 4K output, fifteen aspect ratios, and edits grounded in up to 16 reference images. You can call it programmatically or try it from the playground linked above.
How do I call the GPT Image 2.6 API?
Sign up for a WaveSpeedAI account, copy your API key from /accesskey, then POST to https://api.wavespeed.ai/api/v3/openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image with your input as JSON. The endpoint returns a prediction id. Poll the result endpoint starting around every 2 seconds, increase the interval for long-running tasks, and stop on any terminal status. Production-oriented Python / Node.js / cURL examples are above.
How much does the GPT Image 2.6 API cost?
GPT Image 2.6 starts at $0.0713. The exact cost scales with the parameters you set (resolution, duration, output count, references). The live cost preview next to the Generate button in the playground shows the exact price for your current input.
Which GPT Image 2.6 variants are available?
WaveSpeedAI hosts 4 live GPT Image 2.6 endpoints: openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst/edit, openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst/text-to-image, openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/edit, openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare/text-to-image. Each variant has its own playground page and pricing.
Can I use GPT Image 2.6 outputs commercially?
Commercial usage rights follow the OpenAI model license. Most OpenAI models permit commercial output use; see each model's playground page for the specific license summary, and WaveSpeedAI's Terms of Service for platform-level conditions.
Why use GPT Image 2.6 on WaveSpeedAI instead of going direct?
One API key + one billing account across GPT Image 2.6 AND 1,000+ other AI models from other providers. No per-vendor SDK setup, no separate rate-limit envelopes, no rewrite-per-vendor integration code. Pricing is typically at parity with or below OpenAI's direct API.
Provider
About OpenAI
The team behind GPT Image 2.6 and the broader OpenAI model lineup on WaveSpeedAI.
OpenAI is the lab behind ChatGPT, GPT-4 and GPT-5, DALL·E, Sora, and Whisper. Its image and video models are deployed widely across consumer and enterprise applications, with a focus on instruction-following, photorealism, and conservative safety guardrails. The image API is a frequent pick for marketing and editorial use cases that need strict commercial-use clarity.
Start building with GPT Image 2.6 on WaveSpeedAI
Free starter credits on signup. One API key across 1,000+ AI models from OpenAI and every other provider.
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