GPT Image 2.0 (ex-DALL-E)
Overview
DALL-E 3 is OpenAI's text-to-image model that powered ChatGPT image generation and the OpenAI Images API for years. As of 2026 it is effectively sunsetting. In March 2025 ChatGPT switched to GPT-4o native image generation, and in December 2025 DALL-E 3 was removed from ChatGPT entirely. OpenAI announced on November 14, 2025 that DALL-E 3 will be deprecated from the API on May 12, 2026, with developers pushed toward GPT Image 1 / GPT Image 1.5 (gpt-image-1-mini and friends). This page documents DALL-E 3 as a historical reference and migration guide.
Key Features
Strong natural language understanding
DALL-E 3's tight integration with ChatGPT let users refine prompts conversationally. Its prompt-to-image fidelity was class-leading at launch.
Enterprise-friendly safety
The model shipped with relatively strict content filters around people and copyrighted material, making it easier to adopt inside large organisations.
Plans & Pricing (2026 status)
| Entry point | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $20/mo | GPT-Image since Dec 2025 |
| OpenAI API (DALL-E 3) | Per-image | Sunset May 12, 2026 |
| Successor: gpt-image-1 / 1-mini | Per-image | Recommended API route |
DALL-E 3 was never sold as a standalone subscription; access was always through ChatGPT or the API.
Typical Use Cases
- Illustrations for blog posts and documentation
- Rapid visual prototyping and ideation
- Casual visuals for decks and social content
Strengths
- Deep ChatGPT integration enabled conversational iteration
- Solid prompt comprehension
- Safer defaults for enterprise environments
Weaknesses
- API removal on May 12, 2026 — not a safe choice for new projects
- Already replaced inside ChatGPT by GPT-Image
- Less distinctive than Midjourney and less photorealistic than Flux
Official Info
- Product page: https://openai.com/dall-e-3
- Successor (GPT Image): see OpenAI API docs