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 web app. We started 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. We have now brought generative AI powered by Firefly to 3D, animation, and video with Generate Video and Translate and Lip Sync in Adobe Firefly. 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 and unused credits do not roll over.

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. The number of generative credits allotted to each user varies based on their specific subscription. The consumption of generative credits also depends on the generative AI feature used and the type of subscription.

3. How are generative credits consumed?

The consumption of generative credits depends on the generative AI feature used and the type of subscription.

Examples of actions where you are debited generative credits (varies by subscription):

• 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, in the subscription specific details, or in the app user interface, using standard image and vector generative AI features powered by Firefly in creativity and design applications (such as the Firefly web app or Photoshop) will deduct 1 generative credit per generative action. Generative credits usage rate table applies to individuals, teams, and enterprise users, unless explicitly specified otherwise.

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

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 exceptions list will be updated as we add more features and services. We plan to offer a wider variety of resolutions, models, and mediums, including animation and 3D generative AI features in the future. The number of generative credits consumed for those features may be greater.

* Features are only available to Enterprise customers at this time.

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

All subscriptions and free plans include a plan-specific number of monthly generative credits. Learn what happens when you run out.

Creative Cloud for individual plans

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

Adobe Stock plans

Creative Cloud for education plans

Creative Cloud for teams plans

Creative Cloud for Enterprise Edition 4

Enterprise Term License Agreement (ETLA)

Adobe Express and Adobe Firefly paid plans

*These offers are no longer available.

Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express free users

Users with an Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud free membership may be provided with a limited number of generative credits 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 may be subject to change.

5. What are Adobe Firefly Plus and Adobe Firefly Premium plans?

Adobe Firefly plans unlock access to premium features for creating with advanced generative AI features in creativity and video applications (such as the Firefly web app or Premiere Pro). Firefly plans are needed for access to premium video and audio generative AI features such as Generate Video and Translate in Adobe Firefly. Additionally, subscribers with a Firefly paid plan will receive unlimited access to standard image and vector generations such as Text to Image and Generative Fill, where credits will not be deducted.

All paid subscriptions and free plans include monthly generative credits and access to generative features that are determined by your plan. If you have multiple subscriptions, the total number of generative credits available is the aggregate of what is included in each plan. Learn what happens when you run out.

6. What is the limited trial to premium video and audio generative AI features?

Users with an Adobe ID may be provided with a limited trial of premium features at no additional cost to try premium video and audio generative features. Once this limited trial is exhausted, users can subscribe to a new paid Firefly plan to get access to these features and continue creating advanced generative AI outputs. Please note the limited trial may be subject to change. 

7. What is the difference between standard and premium generative AI features? 

Standard and premium generative AI features differ primarily in their functionality and credit usage:

Standard Features:

Each generative AI action for standard image and vector features (like Text to Image and Generative Fill) typically consumes 1 generative credit per use. These features are available across Adobe's creativity and design applications, including the Firefly web app and Photoshop. 

Premium Features: 

Premium features, accessible through Adobe Firefly standalone plans and select Creative Cloud business plans, include advanced generative AI capabilities for video and audio, such as Generate Video and Translate.

8. 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 web app. Your monthly generative credit allocation is the sum of each subscription’s allocation.

9. When will 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 users with a free plan, generative credits are allocated upon the first-time use of a Firefly-powered feature. For example, a user logs into the Firefly web app 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.

10. 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.

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

Users can access their generative credit count in their Adobe Account. A counter will show the number of monthly generative credits allocated to your account and the number of generative credits you have used in this cycle.

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

Generative credit counts reset each month based on the billing date of your plan. Once you reach your monthly limit, Adobe reserves the right to limit or throttle your use of generative AI features.

Generative credit counts reset each month based on the billing date of your plan. Once you reach your monthly limit, Adobe reserves the right to limit or throttle your use of generative AI features.

If a user reaches their plan-specific generative credit limit during the month before they reset:

• Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly (Legacy), and Adobe Firefly Generative Credits Add-on users with a paid subscription can take two generative AI actions to create vector graphics or standard resolution* images per day.
• Adobe Firefly Standard paid subscribers may upgrade to Adobe Firefly Pro or choose to stack an additional Firefly Standard plan for increased capacity.
• Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express free 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.

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

• Creative Cloud, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly Generative Credit Add-on, and Adobe Stock paid subscribers can subscribe to a new paid Firefly plan to continue creating generative AI outputs. 
• Adobe Firefly Plus plan subscribers may upgrade to Adobe Firefly Premium or choose to stack an additional Firefly Plus plan for increased capacity.
• Free Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express users can subscribe to a new paid plan to continue creating generative AI outputs.
• For business plans, reach out to your Account Manager or Partner.

14. What if I have the Adobe Firefly (Legacy) and Adobe Firefly Generative Credits Add-on plans?

As of February 12, 2025, the Firefly (Legacy) and Firefly Generative Credits Add-on plans will no longer be available for new purchases. Existing customers can continue to use and renew their current plans. The monthly renewal day will be associated with the start date for when the plan was purchased. Adobe Firefly (Legacy) and Adobe Firefly Generative Credits Add-on paid users will retain access to standard image and vector generative AI features, which their plan-specific credits apply toward these features. In order to access premium video and audio generative AI features, users can upgrade to a new paid Firefly Standard or Firefly Pro plan.

15. 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 Firefly models and beta features are safe to use commercially unless otherwise designated in the product or elsewhere. Indemnification is provided to select business plans, however, outputs are not eligible for indemnification while in beta.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

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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.