“Handwritten-style chalkboard menu in a cozy café, all text rendered in the exact same realistic chalk handwriting style with natural variations in letter size, slight slant, and chalk texture — no printed or digital fonts anywhere on the board. Title at the top in elegant cursive chalk handwriting: ‘TODAY’S SPECIALS – APRIL 30, 2026’. Below it, three menu items also in the same handwritten chalk style: ‘Truffle Mushroom Risotto – $24’, ‘Grilled Octopus with Lemon & Herbs – $28’, ‘Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – $9’. At the very bottom, smaller text in the identical handwritten chalk style (slightly smaller but still clearly legible with the same handwriting characteristics): ‘All items made fresh daily • Ask about our gluten-free options’. Warm ambient café lighting, visible chalk dust and smudges, realistic handwriting imperfections, no clean printed text anywhere.”
OpenAI's cost-effective image generation model for when image quality isn't the top priority
Details
gpt-image-1-mini
Starting from
By quality
Prices shown are in USD
See all providersProvider Performance
Fastest generation through openai at 17,840ms median latency with 97.1% success rate.
Aggregated from real API requests over the last 30 days.
Generation Time
Success Rate
Time to First Byte
Provider Rankings
| # | Provider | p50 Gen Time | p95 Gen Time | Success Rate | TTFB (p50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | openai | 17,840ms | 46,372ms | 97.1% | 17,216ms |
Providers & Pricing (2)
GPT Image 1 Mini is available from 2 providers, with per-image pricing starting at $0.005 through fal.ai.
fal/gpt-image-1-mini
openai/gpt-image-1-mini
Input
Output
Pricing Notes (3)
- • Pricing available in both token-based and per-image formats
- • Per-image prices vary by quality (low/medium/high) and size
- • Cost-effective option when image quality isn't the top priority
GPT Image 1 Mini API OpenAI-compatible
Integrate GPT Image 1 Mini into your application for automated text-to-image generation and image editing via the Lumenfall OpenAI-compatible API. This standardized endpoint allows developers to programmatically generate and modify media using simple POST requests.
https://api.lumenfall.ai/openai/v1
gpt-image-1-mini
Code Examples
Text to Image
/v1/images/generationscurl -X POST \ https://api.lumenfall.ai/openai/v1/images/generations \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $LUMENFALL_API_KEY" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{ "model": "gpt-image-1-mini", "prompt": "", "size": "1024x1024" }'# Response:# { "created": 1234567890, "data": [{ "url": "https://...", "revised_prompt": "..." }] }import OpenAI from 'openai';const client = new OpenAI({ apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY', baseURL: 'https://api.lumenfall.ai/openai/v1'});const response = await client.images.generate({ model: 'gpt-image-1-mini', prompt: '', size: '1024x1024'});// { created: 1234567890, data: [{ url: "https://...", revised_prompt: "..." }] }console.log(response.data[0].url);from openai import OpenAIclient = OpenAI( api_key="YOUR_API_KEY", base_url="https://api.lumenfall.ai/openai/v1")response = client.images.generate( model="gpt-image-1-mini", prompt="", size="1024x1024")# { created: 1234567890, data: [{ url: "https://...", revised_prompt: "..." }] }print(response.data[0].url)Parameter Reference
Core Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description | Modes |
|---|---|---|---|
prompt
|
string | Required. Text prompt for image generation |
T2I
Edit
|
quality
|
string |
Image quality level
high
low
medium
|
T2I
Edit
|
Size & Layout
| Parameter | Type | Description | Modes |
|---|---|---|---|
size
|
string |
Image dimensions as WxH pixels (e.g. "1024x1024") or aspect ratio (e.g. "16:9")
1024x1024
1536x1024
1024x1536
WxH determines both shape and scale (aspect_ratio and resolution are ignored when size is provided). W:H format is equivalent to aspect_ratio.
|
T2I
Edit
|
aspect_ratio
|
string |
Aspect ratio of the output image (e.g. "16:9", "1:1")
2:3
1:1
3:2
Controls shape independently of scale. Use with resolution to control both. If size is also provided, size takes precedence. Any ratio is accepted and mapped to the nearest supported value.
|
T2I
Edit
|
resolution
|
string |
Output resolution tier (e.g. "1K", "4K")
1K
Controls scale independently of shape. Higher tiers produce larger images and cost more. If size is also provided, size takes precedence for scale. Any tier is accepted and mapped to the nearest supported value.
|
T2I
Edit
|
| Output |
size
|
aspect_ratio
+
resolution
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible | |||
|
Custom
1024–1536px per side
|
"WxH" |
— | Any pixel dimensions within model constraints |
1K 3 sizes
| Output |
size
|
aspect_ratio
+
resolution
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1024 × 1536 | "1024x1536" |
or |
"2:3"
+
"1K"
|
| 1536 × 1024 | "1536x1024" |
or |
"3:2"
+
"1K"
|
| 1024 × 1024 | "1024x1024" |
or |
"1:1"
+
"1K"
|
How these parameters work
size
Exact pixel dimensions
"1920x1080"
aspect_ratio
Shape only, default scale
"16:9"
resolution
Scale tier, preserves shape
"1K"
Priority when combined
size is most specific and always wins. aspect_ratio and resolution control shape and scale independently.
How matching works
7:1 on a model with
4:1 and 8:1,
you get 8:1.
0.5K 1K 2K 4K)
or megapixel tiers (0.25 1).
If the exact tier isn't available, you get the nearest one.
Media Inputs
| Parameter | Type | Description | Modes |
|---|
Output & Format
| Parameter | Type | Description | Modes |
|---|---|---|---|
response_format
|
string |
How to return the image
url
b64_json
Default:
"url" |
T2I
Edit
|
output_format
|
string |
Output image format
png
jpeg
gif
webp
avif
Gateway converts to requested format if provider doesn't support it natively.
|
T2I
Edit
|
output_compression
|
integer | Compression level for lossy formats (JPEG, WebP, AVIF) |
T2I
Edit
|
n
|
integer |
Number of images to generate
Default:
1Gateway generates multiple images in parallel even if provider only supports 1.
|
T2I
Edit
|
Additional Parameters
Provider-specific passthrough fields, available only when the request is routed to the listed provider.
| Parameter | Type | Description | Modes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Universal
|
|||
background
|
string |
Background handling. `transparent` requires an output format that supports transparency, such as `png` or `webp`.
opaque
transparent
|
T2I
Edit
|
|
fal
|
|||
sync_mode
|
boolean | If `True`, the media will be returned as a data URI and the output data won't be available in the request history. |
T2I
Edit
|
|
openai
|
|||
moderation
|
string |
Content moderation strictness for GPT image models.
low
|
T2I
Edit
|
user
|
string | Stable end-user identifier used by OpenAI abuse monitoring. |
T2I
Edit
|
Parameter Normalization
How we handle parameters across different providers
Not every provider speaks the same language. When you send a parameter, we handle it in one of four ways depending on what the model supports:
| Behavior | What happens | Example |
|---|---|---|
passthrough |
Sent as-is to the provider | style, quality |
renamed |
Same value, mapped to the field name the provider expects | prompt |
converted |
Transformed to the provider's native format | size |
emulated |
Works even if the provider has no concept of it | n, response_format |
Parameters we don't recognize pass straight through to the upstream API, so provider-specific options still work.
GPT Image 1 Mini Benchmarks
GPT Image 1 Mini holds the #12 position for text-to-image generation with a competitive Elo rating of 1247. This OpenAI model offers a balanced performance profile, ranking in the top tier of international image generation benchmarks for speed and efficiency.
Text-to-Image Landscape
Elo vs Cost
Elo vs Speed
Competition Results
“A candid street photo of an elderly Japanese man repairing a red bicycle in light rain, reflections on wet pavement, shallow depth of field, 50mm lens, natural skin texture, imperfect framing, motion blur from passing cars, cinematic but realistic, no stylization.”
“Handwritten-style chalkboard menu in a cozy café, all text rendered in the exact same realistic chalk handwriting style with natural variations in letter size, slight slant, and chalk texture — no printed or digital fonts anywhere on the board. Title at the top in elegant cursive chalk handwriting: ‘TODAY’S SPECIALS – APRIL 30, 2026’. Below it, three menu items also in the same handwritten chalk style: ‘Truffle Mushroom Risotto – $24’, ‘Grilled Octopus with Lemon & Herbs – $28’, ‘Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – $9’. At the very bottom, smaller text in the identical handwritten chalk style (slightly smaller but still clearly legible with the same handwriting characteristics): ‘All items made fresh daily • Ask about our gluten-free options’. Warm ambient café lighting, visible chalk dust and smudges, realistic handwriting imperfections, no clean printed text anywhere.”
“Photorealistic scene inside a yellow New York taxi at night. A capybara is driving, wearing a yellow taxi driver cap and a dark jacket. It has a calm, professional expression and both front paws on the steering wheel. In the back seat sits a human businesswoman in a coat, looking at her phone with a completely normal, bored expression (as if this is just another normal ride). Through the windows you can see the streets of Manhattan at night with blurred lights. Realistic taxi interior, photorealistic, detailed fur and fabric, 35mm lens, night lighting with reflections, shallow depth of field.”
“Close portrait of a battle-worn paladin in ornate engraved plate armor, hair braided with small beads, faint scars and dirt on the skin, warm torchlight reflecting off metal, shallow depth of field, bokeh sparks, lifelike eyes, highly detailed texture on leather straps and cloth underlayer.”
Uncategorized
“Hyper-photorealistic scene of fluffy baby animals—a golden retriever puppy, tabby kitten, baby bunny, and red fox kit—with big expressive eyes and ultra-detailed soft fur, playfully chasing butterflies and tumbling together in a lush wildflower meadow, warm golden sunrise light with god rays and dew sparkles, joyful wholesome vibe, 8K masterpiece.”
“A glass cube on a wooden table. Inside the cube is a small blue sphere. On top of the cube sits a red book. A green plant is behind the cube, partially visible through the glass. Soft window light from the left.”
“Close portrait of a battle-worn paladin in ornate engraved plate armor, hair braided with small beads, faint scars and dirt on the skin, warm torchlight reflecting off metal, shallow depth of field, bokeh sparks, lifelike eyes, highly detailed texture on leather straps and cloth underlayer.”
Top Matchups
See how GPT Image 1 Mini performs head-to-head against other AI models, ranked by community votes in blind comparisons.
vs ImagineArt 1.5 (Preview)
Challenge: Geometric Composition
50% W · 50% L
vs FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
Challenge: Pose & Character Mashup
50% W · 50% L
vs Nano Banana Pro
Challenge: Candid Street Photography
0% W · 100% L
vs Nano Banana 2
Challenge: Fantasy Warrior
0% W · 100% L
vs DALL-E 3
Challenge: Chalkboard Menu
100% W · 0% L
GPT Image 1 Mini is best for
See all Use CasesThis model excels in portrait generation where it ranks #3 out of 19 with a 69.6% win rate, though its photorealism performance is more moderate at #9 with a 50.0% win rate. It is optimized for cost-effective text-to-image workflows and precise image editing tasks where rapid iteration is required.
Gallery
View all 7 imagesGPT Image 1 Mini FAQ
How much does GPT Image 1 Mini cost?
GPT Image 1 Mini starts at $0.005 per image through Lumenfall. Pricing varies by provider. Lumenfall does not add any markup to provider pricing.
How do I use GPT Image 1 Mini via API?
You can use GPT Image 1 Mini through Lumenfall's OpenAI-compatible API. Send requests to the unified endpoint with model ID "gpt-image-1-mini". Code examples are available in Python, JavaScript, and cURL.
Which providers offer GPT Image 1 Mini?
GPT Image 1 Mini is available through OpenAI and fal.ai on Lumenfall. Lumenfall automatically routes requests to the best available provider.
What is the maximum resolution for GPT Image 1 Mini?
GPT Image 1 Mini supports images up to 1536x1536 resolution.
Overview
GPT Image 1 Mini is a lightweight image generation model developed by OpenAI, designed specifically for efficiency and high-speed throughput. It serves as a cost-effective alternative to larger, high-fidelity diffusion models, prioritizing rapid iteration and lower compute costs over photorealistic detail. The model belongs to the gpt-image family and supports both text-to-image generation and image-to-image editing tasks.
Strengths
- Cost Efficiency: With a starting price of $0.005 per generation, it is significantly more economical than flagship models for large-scale batch processing.
- Latency: Optimized for speed, making it suitable for real-time applications where users expect near-instant visual feedback.
- Resource Management: Minimal computational footprint allows for high-concurrency deployments without the overhead associated with larger generative models.
- Functional Prototyping: Highly effective for generating placeholders, UI wireframes, or conceptual layouts where semantic accuracy is more important than visual texture or finish.
Limitations
- Lower Aesthetic Fidelity: The model is not designed for photorealism or high-definition artistic output; users may notice artifacts or lower detail in complex textures.
- Limited Fine Detail: Struggles with intricate spatial relationships or the precise rendering of small, complex elements like human hands or background text.
- Reduced Stylistic Range: While it follows prompts reliably, it lacks the creative breadth and nuanced stylistic mimicry found in its more robust counterparts.
Technical Background
GPT Image 1 Mini utilizes a streamlined architecture within the OpenAI gpt-image lineage, likely employing a distilled version of larger diffusion or transformer-based generative frameworks. The training approach focuses on maximizing the ratio of prompt alignment to parameter count, allowing the model to interpret user intent accurately while reducing the floating-point operations required for each inference. This efficiency is achieved through architectural pruning and optimized sampling techniques.
Best For
This model is ideal for developers building internal tools, automated placeholder generators, or rapid ideation features where “good enough” quality is sufficient. It is particularly effective for generating icons, simple vector-style graphics, or testing prompt engineering workflows at scale.
GPT Image 1 Mini is available through Lumenfall’s unified API and playground, allowing you to integrate it into your pipeline alongside other generative models via a single interface.
Try GPT Image 1 Mini in Playground
Generate images with custom prompts — no API key needed.