Generative credits FAQ

Wondering what generative credits are, how many you have in your account, and how you can use them? We've got you covered.

Frequently asked questions

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that enhances creativity by producing amazing results from simple prompts. Generative AI features powered by Firefly are now available in our core creative tools and the standalone Firefly website. We’re starting with images, text effects, and vectors, with Generative fill and Generative Expand in Adobe Photoshop, Text to image in Adobe Firefly, Generative Recolor in Adobe Illustrator, Generate text effects in Adobe Express, and more. Next, we plan to bring generative AI powered by Firefly to 3D, animation, and video. Each groundbreaking generative AI feature unlocks new creative possibilities, empowering users to play, experiment, dream, and create the extraordinary.

1. What are generative credits?

Generative credits enable the use of generative AI features powered by Firefly and certain other generative AI features in the applications to which you are entitled. Generative credit counts reset each month.

2. Why does Adobe use generative credits?

We want you to play, experiment, dream, and create the extraordinary using the new Adobe Firefly generative AI technology in our apps. Each groundbreaking feature unlocks new creative possibilities, from Text to image in Adobe Firefly to Generative fill in Adobe Photoshop, Generate text effects in Adobe Express, and so much more.

We have updated our plans to better accommodate the high computational costs associated with generative AI content. Each plan now includes a monthly allocation of generative credits, which you can use to create generative AI content across various features in Creative Cloud, Adobe Express, and Adobe Substance 3D applications included in your plan. The number of generative credits allotted to each user varies based on their specific subscription. The consumption of generative credits depends on the generated output’s computational cost and the value of the generative AI feature used.

3. How are generative credits consumed?

The consumption of generative credits depends on the generated output's computational cost and the value of the generative AI feature used.

Examples of actions where you are debited generative credits:

• Select Generate in Text to image
• Select More in Generative fill

Examples of when you're not debited generative credits:

• Using generative AI features listed in the Exceptions list.
• Selecting View in the Firefly community since opening the art isn't a new generation. But you'll be debited generative credits if you select Try Prompt, which requires a new generation.

Unless specified in the Exceptions list below or in the app user interface, using generative AI features powered by Firefly in creativity and design applications (such as the Firefly website or Photoshop) will use one generative credit per generative action. Generative AI features are used to create or modify content, such as by selecting a Generate button or other actions indicated with a   icon. 

Exceptions list

Outputs from beta features can be used commercially unless otherwise designated in the product or elsewhere, but they aren't eligible for indemnification while in beta.

The credit consumption rates are for standard images of up to 2000x2000 pixels. To receive the above-listed consumption rates, you must use the latest version of the software. Usage rates may vary. Plans are subject to change.

Our generative AI features are evolving rapidly. The rate card will be updated as we add more features and services. We plan to offer higher-resolution images, animation, video, and 3D generative AI features in the future. The number of generative credits consumed for those features may be greater.

4. How many monthly generative credits do I get in my plan?

If you have multiple subscriptions, the total number of generative credits available is the aggregate of what is included in each plan. All subscriptions and free plans include a plan-specific number of monthly generative credits. Learn what happens when you run out.

Creative Cloud individual plans

Learn more about generative credits for free Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express users.

Adobe Stock plans

Education plans

Teams plans

Enterprise VIP/VIP Marketplace

*These offers are no longer available. Existing customers must switch to a new offer at the end of their license term. 

Enterprise Term License Agreement (ETLA)

*These offers are no longer available. Existing customers must switch to a new offer at the end of their license term. 

Adobe Express and Adobe Firefly paid plans

Free Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express Users

Free users with an Adobe ID (Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud) may be provided with a limited number at no cost. These credits allow access to generative AI features for users to play, experiment, and create the extraordinary. Please note the number of credits and terms are subject to change.   

5. What if I have multiple subscriptions?

If you have multiple subscriptions, the total number of generative credits available is the aggregate of what is included in each plan. For example, if you subscribe to both Illustrator and Photoshop single app, you can use your generative credits for generative AI features in either application and even in Adobe Express or the Firefly website. Your monthly generative credit allocation is the sum of each subscription’s allocation.

6. When do my generative credits renew?

For customers with a paid subscription, generative credits renew each month based on the plan’s initial billing date (For example, if the plan started on the 15th of the month, the credits would renew on the 15th of each month).

For Free users without a paid subscription, generative credits are allocated upon the first-time use of a Firefly-powered feature. For example, a free user logs into the Firefly website and uses Text to Image. At that time, the user is allocated a set number of generative credits. Their generative credits will expire one month from that allocation date. If first-time use is on the 15th of the month, the credits will expire on the 15th of the next month. For any subsequent months, generative credits are again allocated upon the first-time use of a Firefly-powered feature, and those credits will expire one month from the new allocation date. If first-time use in month two occurs on the 19th of the month, their credits will expire on the 19th of the next month. This gives the user a full month for each allocation of generative credits.

7. Do generative credits roll over month to month?

No, generative credits don't roll over to the next month because the cloud-based computational resources are fixed and assume a certain allocation per user in a given month. Your generative credit balance will reset to your allocated amount on a monthly basis.

8. How do I check how many generative credits I have remaining?

Users with an Adobe ID can access their generative credit count in their Adobe account. There will be a counter that will show the number of monthly generative credits allocated to your account and the number of generative credits you have used in this cycle.

9. What happens if I use all my generative credits?  

Generative credit counts reset each month based on the billing date of your plans. 

After the credit limits apply, if users reach their plan-specific generative credit limit during the month before they reset: 

• Creative Cloud and Adobe Stock paid users can keep taking generative AI actions but using generative AI features to create vector graphics or standard-resolution images* may be slower. 
• Adobe Express and Adobe Firefly paid users can take two generative AI actions to create vector graphics or standard resolution* images per day. 
• Free Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express users can subscribe to a new paid plan to continue creating Firefly-powered assets. 
  

* Standard resolution imagery is up to 2000x2000 pixels. Usage rates may vary. Plans are subject to change. 

10. What do I do if I need more generative credits? 

• For a limited time, Creative Cloud, Adobe Express, and Adobe Stock paid subscribers won't be subject to generative credit limits and can continue creating beyond their plan-specific monthly credit limit to create vector graphics or standard resolution images*.

• Free Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express users can subscribe to a new paid plan to continue creating Firefly-powered assets. 

* Standard resolution imagery is up to 2000x2000 pixels. Usage rates may vary. Plans are subject to change. 

11. What is the Generative Credits Add-on plan?

The Generative Credits Add-on plan allows you to increase the number of monthly generative credits. You may purchase multiple Generative Credits Add-on plans and the number of generative credits will be additive to the existing number of generative credits in the underlying subscription. The monthly renewal day for each of the Generative Credits Add-on plans will be associated with the start date for each plan purchased. The Generative Credits Add-on plan can only be added to an existing paid plan. 

Free Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express users can subscribe to a new paid plan to continue creating Firefly-powered assets.

12. What does "commercial use" mean?

Commercial use refers to any type of usage that generates commercial activity for you, your brand, or your business — for example, selling, using print and digital promotional materials, or in the sale of products and content. Outputs from beta features can be used commercially unless otherwise designated in the product or elsewhere, but they aren't eligible for indemnification while in beta.

13. Are generative credits pooled in Creative Cloud for teams or enterprise plans?

Generative credits aren't pooled and can't be shared across multiple users.

14. Are Adobe Stock credits and generative credits the same thing?

No, Adobe Stock credits can't be used to generate content using Firefly-powered features. Only generative credits are used to generate content using Firefly-powered features. 

Adobe Stock credits are used to license content from the Adobe Stock website as defined in the Adobe Stock additional terms or your customer agreement, as applicable.

15. What about future generative AI capabilities and functionalities?

We might introduce new media types — for example, 3D and video — or higher resolution image and vector generation in the future that may incur additional generative credits per generation or additional costs. Check our rate table for details.

More like this

• Adobe Firefly FAQ
• Generative credits overview
• Content Credentials overview
  
• Image generation using text descriptions
  

Join our community to connect, learn, and engage

For inspiration, expert tips, and solutions to common issues, visit Discord or the Adobe Firefly Community forum. Connect with our team and fellow users to exchange ideas, share your creations, stay updated with the latest features and announcements, and provide feedback.