# How credits work

Canonical URL: https://support.optiqube.ai/en/articles/how-credits-work

OptiQube uses **credits** to pay for the images and videos it generates. Everything else, such as browsing the library, editing ad copy, connecting sources or copying an existing ad with the same products, is free.

## What things cost

| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| One image | 40 credits |
| One video clip | 390 credits |

What one image costs depends on the style it is made in, so two generations of the same size can cost differently.

Some typical rounds:

| Round | Images | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The four directions at the start of a task | 4 | 160 |
| A note on one product | 1 | up to 40 |
| A style on two more products (**Preview on 2 more**) | 2 | 80 |
| A note on three products | 3 | up to 120 |
| Two lookalikes from **Copy an ad** or **Use this style** | 2 | 80 |

> **Tip:** Before you send anything that generates images, the credits box next to the message field shows what it costs and what you would have left.

## You pay for finished images only

When a round starts, OptiQube **holds** the credits it needs. The credits bar shows them as *reserved for rounds running now*. Each image is charged when it finishes. An image that fails costs nothing.

## Where your credits come from

- **Monthly allowance:** your plan's credits. They arrive every month, on annual plans too.
- **Rollover:** on Growth, Pro and the Agency plans, unused monthly credits stay usable for 60 to 120 days, depending on the plan. The days count from the day the credits arrived, not from the end of the month. See [Plans and pricing](https://support.optiqube.ai/en/articles/plans-and-pricing).
- **Top-ups:** extra credits you buy on a paid plan; they cannot be bought on the trial. Growth and Pro get a discount on top-ups.
- **Welcome bonus:** the credits of the free trial. See [The free trial](https://support.optiqube.ai/en/articles/free-trial).

Credits are spent in this order: **monthly allowance → rollover → top-up**.

You can see each credit pack, what is left of it and when it expires under **Credit packs** on the **Subscription** page.

## When credits run low

If a round would cost more than you have, the credits box turns red, shows how many credits you are short, and offers **Upgrade plan** on the trial, or **Get credits** on a paid plan. OptiQube also emails you before credits on your account expire.

## Check your balance

- Click your name in the bottom-left corner: **Credits left** shows your balance.
- The bar under the message box in a task shows it too.
- **Settings → Usage** shows what you spent, and on what. See [Usage and credit history](https://support.optiqube.ai/en/articles/usage).