Sample - OpenAI API
POST/images/generations

Create an image

Creates one or more images from a text prompt. Supply prompt and configure the model, image count, output format, dimensions, quality, and moderation settings as needed. Streaming requests can return partial images before the final image.

  • RetriesRetries up to 2×, 500ms backoff, 30s timeout.

14 body fields

Image generation request containing a required text prompt and optional generation settings.

promptstringrequired
A text description of the desired image(s). The maximum length is 32000 characters for the GPT image models, 1000 characters for `dall-e-2` and 4000 characters for `dall-e-3`.
modelstringoptional
The model to use for image generation. One of `dall-e-2`, `dall-e-3`, or a GPT image model (`gpt-image-1`, `gpt-image-1-mini`, `gpt-image-1.5`, `gpt-image-2`, `gpt-image-2-2026-04-21`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst-2026-09-08`, `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, `gpt-image-2.5-flare-2026-09-08`). Defaults to `dall-e-2` unless a parameter specific to the GPT image models is used.
Default:dall-e-2
nintegeroptional
The number of images to generate. Must be between 1 and 10. For `dall-e-3`, only `n=1` is supported.
Default:1
qualitystringoptional
The quality of the image that will be generated. - `auto` (default value) will automatically select the best quality for the given model. - `high`, `medium` and `low` are supported for the GPT image models. - `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst` and `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, including their `2026-09-08` snapshots, also support `xhigh` and `max`. - `hd` and `standard` are supported for `dall-e-3`. - `standard` is the only option for `dall-e-2`.
Allowed:standardhdlowmediumhighxhighmaxautoDefault:auto
response_formatstringoptional
The format in which generated images with `dall-e-2` and `dall-e-3` are returned. Must be one of `url` or `b64_json`. URLs are only valid for 60 minutes after the image has been generated. This parameter isn't supported for the GPT image models, which always return base64-encoded images.
Allowed:urlb64_jsonDefault:url
output_formatstringoptional
The format in which the generated images are returned. This parameter is only supported for the GPT image models. Must be one of `png`, `jpeg`, or `webp`.
Allowed:pngjpegwebpDefault:png
output_compressionintegeroptional
The compression level (0-100%) for the generated images. This parameter is only supported for the GPT image models with the `webp` or `jpeg` output formats, and defaults to 100.
Default:100
streambooleanoptional
Generate the image in streaming mode. Defaults to `false`. See the [Image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation) for more information. This parameter is only supported for the GPT image models.
Default:false
partial_imagesintegeroptional
The number of partial images to emit during streaming. Must be between 0 and 3; defaults to 0 when omitted.
Default:0
sizestringoptional
The size of the generated images. For `gpt-image-2`, `gpt-image-2-2026-04-21`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst`, `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst-2026-09-08`, `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, and `gpt-image-2.5-flare-2026-09-08`, arbitrary resolutions are supported as `WIDTHxHEIGHT` strings, for example `1536x864`. Width and height must both be divisible by 16 and the requested aspect ratio must be between 1:3 and 3:1. Resolutions above `2560x1440` are experimental, and the maximum supported resolution is `3840x2160`. The requested size must also satisfy the model's current pixel and edge limits. The standard sizes `1024x1024`, `1536x1024`, and `1024x1536` are supported by the GPT image models; `auto` is supported for models that allow automatic sizing. For `dall-e-2`, use one of `256x256`, `512x512`, or `1024x1024`. For `dall-e-3`, use one of `1024x1024`, `1792x1024`, or `1024x1792`.
Default:auto
moderationstringoptional
Control the content-moderation level for images generated by the GPT image models. Must be either `low` for less restrictive filtering or `auto` (default value).
Allowed:lowautoDefault:auto
backgroundstringoptional
Set the background of the generated image(s). This parameter is only supported for the GPT image models. Must be one of `transparent`, `opaque`, or `auto` (default value). When `auto` is used, the model will automatically determine the best background for the image. `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst` and `gpt-image-2.5-flare`, including their `2026-09-08` snapshots, support `opaque` and `transparent` backgrounds. Transparent backgrounds are available for supported GPT Image models. For `gpt-image-2` and `gpt-image-2-2026-04-21`, this support is in preview. When using `transparent`, set the output format to `png` or `webp`.
Allowed:transparentopaqueautoDefault:auto
stylestringoptional
The style of the generated images. This parameter is only supported for `dall-e-3`. Must be one of `vivid` or `natural`. Vivid causes the model to lean towards generating hyper-real and dramatic images. Natural causes the model to produce more natural, less hyper-real looking images.
Allowed:vividnaturalDefault:vivid
userstringoptional
A unique identifier representing your end-user, which can help OpenAI to monitor and detect abuse. [Learn more](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/safety-best-practices#implement-safety-identifiers).

3 status codes
200Returns an image generation response containing the creation timestamp and generated image data, including URLs or base64-encoded images as applicable. Streaming responses emit partial-image events followed by a final image event.
createdintegerrequired
The Unix timestamp (in seconds) of when the image was created.
dataarray<object>optional
The list of generated images.
backgroundstringoptional
The background parameter used for the image generation. Either `transparent` or `opaque`.
Allowed:transparentopaque
output_formatstringoptional
The output format of the image generation. Either `png`, `webp`, or `jpeg`.
Allowed:pngwebpjpeg
sizestringoptional
The image dimensions as a `WIDTHxHEIGHT` string, for example `1536x864`.
qualitystringoptional
The quality of the image generated. One of `low`, `medium`, `high`, `xhigh`, or `max`.
Allowed:lowmediumhighxhighmax
usageobjectoptional
For `gpt-image-1` only, the token usage information for the image generation.
429Returned when the request rate exceeds the limit. A `slow_down` error indicates that traffic increased too quickly.

One documented failure

  • slow_down

    Your request rate increased too quickly. Please reduce the request rate and gradually increase it again.

    Traffic increased too quickly

errorobjectrequired
503Returned when the service is temporarily unavailable because the requested model is temporarily overloaded.

One documented failure

  • server_is_overloaded

    The model is temporarily overloaded. Please retry your request after a brief delay.

    The requested model is temporarily overloaded

errorobjectrequired

Error handling

A 429 is returned when the request rate exceeds the limit; reduce the request rate before retrying. A 503 is returned when the requested model is temporarily overloaded; retry after a brief delay. prompt is required, n must be between 1 and 10, and model-specific options such as response_format and style must use supported values.