# How credits work (https://docs.apparelai.app/getting-started/credits)
You spend ApparelAI credits when you generate photos, preview new AI models, edit finished photos, run AI tools and make videos. Every plan, including the free plan, gives you a monthly allowance of credits. You can also top up with a one-time credit pack.
## What uses credits [#what-uses-credits]
| What you make | Credits | Where you see the cost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A photoshoot photo | 1 at **Standard - 1K**, 2 at **HD - 2K**, 3 at **Ultra - 4K** | **Est. N credits** in **Create Photo Shoot** |
| Bulk Photoshoot photos | The same per photo, for every pose of every product | The footer of **Bulk Photoshoot** |
| An AI model preview | 1 per preview | **Create Model**, when you use **Generate with AI** |
| **New Variation** | 1, 2 or 3 per photo, by resolution | **Est. N credits** |
| **Create Poses** | 1, 2 or 3 per pose, by resolution | **Est. N credits** |
| **Upscale to 4K** | 3 | The **Upscale** menu |
| **Color Variant** product shot | 1, 2 or 3, by resolution | **Est. N credits** |
| **Fix & Refine** | Not shown | No cost appears before you select **Apply Fix** |
| **Brand Kit** | Not shown | No credit cost appears in **Brand Kit** |
| **Background Remover** | 1 | The tool's button: **1 cr** |
| **Background Changer**, **Ghost Mannequin**, **Color Variation**, **Sketch to Garment**, **Outfit Builder** and **AI Lookbook** | 2 at **2K (balanced)** | The tool's button, such as **2 cr** |
| A video from a motion template | 3 per second | **Length** and the total above **Generate video** |
| A **UGC Styling Tip** video | 5 per second | **Length** and the total above **Generate video** |
The sections below explain each one.
### Photoshoot photos [#photoshoot-photos]
Each photo costs credits based on its resolution, which you choose in the **Output** step:
| Resolution | Size | Credits per photo |
| ---------- | ---- | ----------------- |
| **Standard - 1K** | 1024px | 1 |
| **HD - 2K** | 2048px | 2 |
| **Ultra - 4K** | 4096px | 3 |
A photoshoot makes one photo in one pose, so a shoot at **HD - 2K** uses 2 credits. In Bulk Photoshoot, every pose of every product is a photo. For example, 6 products with 4 poses each at 2K make 24 photos and use 48 credits.
### AI model previews [#ai-model-previews]
When you create a model with **Generate with AI**, each preview you generate uses 1 credit. The first preview starts as soon as you click **Continue** on the **Attributes** step. A model made from your own photo with **Upload Model Photo** doesn't need a preview. See [Choose a model](/photoshoots/models).
### Edits on a finished photo [#edits-on-a-finished-photo]
On the **Photo Shoot Result** page, these make new images and use credits:
- **New Variation** costs 1, 2 or 3 credits per photo, by the resolution you pick. See [Make a new variation](/photoshoots/new-variation).
- **Create Poses** costs the number of poses times the resolution price. For example, 2 poses at **HD - 2K** cost 4 credits. See [Create poses from a photo](/photoshoots/create-poses).
- **Upscale to 4K** costs 3 credits.
- The **Color Variant** product shot costs 1, 2 or 3 credits, by resolution. See [Color variant](/product-shots/color-variant).
**Fix & Refine** shows no cost before you select **Apply Fix**. Image refinement is included on every plan, including Free. **Brand Kit** shows no credit cost. See [Edit and improve results](/photoshoots/edit-results) and [Add your logo and text with Brand Kit](/photoshoots/brand-kit).
### AI tools [#ai-tools]
Each AI tool uses credits every time you run it. The button that runs a tool shows its cost, such as **2 cr**.
| Tool | Credits |
| ---- | ------- |
| **Background Remover** | 1 |
| **Background Changer** | 2 at **2K (balanced)** |
| **Ghost Mannequin** | 2 at **2K (balanced)** for the front view |
| **Color Variation** | 2 at **2K (balanced)** for one color |
| **Sketch to Garment** | 2 at **2K (balanced)** |
| **Outfit Builder** | 2 at **2K (balanced)** |
| **AI Lookbook** | 2 at **2K (balanced)** |
Every tool except Background Remover has a **Resolution** menu with **1K (fastest)**, **2K (balanced)** and **4K (premium)**. **2K (balanced)** is selected at first. See [AI tools](/ai-tools).
### Videos [#videos]
Videos cost credits for every second. Both prices are discounted at the moment: motion templates show **40% OFF** (3 credits per second instead of 5), and **UGC Styling Tip** shows **29% OFF** (5 credits per second instead of 7).
| Length | Motion templates | UGC Styling Tip |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3 seconds | 9 | 15 |
| 5 seconds | 15 | 25 |
| 7 seconds | 21 | 35 |
| 10 seconds | 30 | 50 |
| 15 seconds | 45 | 75 |
| 20 seconds | 60 | 100 |
| 25 seconds | 75 | 125 |
| 30 seconds | 90 | 150 |
You'll find the motion templates in [AI Image to Video](/video/image-to-video) and in **Create Video** in a project. UGC Styling Tip is only in a project. See [Videos from a photoshoot](/video/project-videos). Discounts change, so check the price in the app before you generate.
### What doesn't use credits [#what-doesnt-use-credits]
- Uploading products, whether on the **Products** page, in **Create Photo Shoot** or in **Bulk Photoshoot**.
- Importing photos from a product link with **Import from Store**.
- Downloading photos you've already made. They aren't generated again.
- The free AI Background Remover on the ApparelAI website, which has limited free use without an account.
## See the cost before you generate [#see-the-cost-before-you-generate]
The app shows the cost before you start:
- **Create Photo Shoot:** each **Resolution** option shows its cost, and the footer shows the total as **Est. N credits**.
- **New Variation**, **Create Poses** and **Color Variant:** the footer shows **Est. N credits**.
- **Upscale:** the menu shows **Upscale to 4K** with its cost, 3 credits.
- **Bulk Photoshoot:** the footer shows how many credits it takes to start, plus the total photos and credits for the whole batch. With **Review first photo before other poses** turned on, only the first photo of each product is charged when you start. The other poses are charged after you approve that product.
- **AI tools:** the button that runs a tool shows its cost, such as **2 cr**.
- **Videos:** each option in **Length** shows its credits, and the total appears above **Generate video**, next to your balance.
## Check your balance [#check-your-balance]
- **Sidebar:** the **CREDITS** widget shows two numbers, such as 40/50. The first is the credits you have left. The second is your plan's credits plus any one-time credits you've added. The progress bar is purple while more than half your credits are left, amber from 50% down to 20%, and red at 20% or less.
- **Collapsed sidebar:** a round badge shows the credits you have left. It turns amber at 20% or less and red at 0.
- **Top bar:** the lightning pill next to your profile photo shows the credits you have left.
On the free plan, the **CREDITS** widget also has an **Upgrade for more credits** link, which opens **Billing**.
## When you don't have enough credits [#when-you-dont-have-enough-credits]
In **Create Photo Shoot**, the **Output** step shows "Not enough credits. You need N credit(s) but have M." with an **Upgrade plan** link, and the **Generate Photo Shoot** button changes to **Not Enough Credits**. If you have no credits left, you'll see "No credits remaining. Please upgrade your plan." To go ahead:
- Choose a lower resolution. **Standard - 1K** uses 1 credit per photo.
- Upgrade your plan from **Billing**, or buy a one-time [credit pack](/billing/buy-credits).
- On the free plan, you may be offered free credits for adding your mobile number. See [Get free credits](/billing/free-credits).
In **Bulk Photoshoot**, you'll see "Not enough credits. This action requires N credits but you have M remaining." Select **Get credits** to add more, then **Refresh balance**. If a running bulk photoshoot runs out of credits, it pauses. Add credits, then resume it. See [Bulk photoshoot](/photoshoots/bulk-photoshoot).
## How many credits you get [#how-many-credits-you-get]
| Plan | Credits |
| -------- | -------------- |
| Free | 3 a month |
| Pro | 50 a month |
| Growth | 200 a month |
| Business | 500 a month |
| Agency | 1,500 a month |
To compare what each plan includes, see [Compare plans](/billing/plans).
You can also buy a one-time credit pack on **Billing**: **Basic Pack** (50 credits), **Standard Pack** (100), **Premium Pack** (500) or **Ultimate Pack** (1,500). See [Buy credit packs](/billing/buy-credits). And with [Refer & Earn](/account/refer-and-earn), you earn 10% of the credits that people you refer buy. Rewards are added after a review, as credits that don't expire.
## Rollover, expiry and failed generations [#rollover-expiry-and-failed-generations]
- Credits from a credit pack never expire.
- Plan credits refresh every billing cycle.
- If you cancel a web subscription, unused credits don't carry over after the cancellation.
- If a generation fails, try again. If it keeps failing, [contact support](/help/contact) and include the project name.
## Make your credits go further [#make-your-credits-go-further]
- Start at **Standard - 1K**. It's enough for most listings. Use **HD - 2K** or **Ultra - 4K** when a photo needs to hold up to zoom, print or cropping.
- In **Bulk Photoshoot**, keep **Review first photo before other poses** turned on. You approve each product's first photo before its other poses are made, so you catch a product that needs changes after one photo instead of a full set.
- When you shoot a batch at 2K or 4K, also turn on **Create first photo in 1K for preview**. You check each design for 1 credit, and the other poses still use the resolution you chose.
- Make videos only as long as the channel needs. Every second costs credits, so a 5-second video costs half as much as a 10-second one.
- Start with a clear garment photo. The details in your results come from it. See [Prepare your garment photos](/getting-started/garment-photos).
## Frequently asked questions [#frequently-asked-questions]
A photoshoot photo costs 1 credit at **Standard - 1K**, 2 at **HD - 2K** and 3 at **Ultra - 4K**. In **Bulk Photoshoot**, every pose of every product is one photo, so 6 products with 4 poses each at 2K use 48 credits.
Videos currently cost 3 credits per second with a motion template and 5 per second for a **UGC Styling Tip**, so a 10-second template video is 30 credits. **Background Remover** uses 1 credit, and the other AI tools use 2 credits at **2K (balanced)**, the resolution that's selected at first.
Credits from a credit pack never expire. Plan credits refresh every billing cycle, and if you cancel a web subscription, unused credits don't carry over after the cancellation.
No. Uploading products, importing photos with **Import from Store** and downloading photos you've already made don't use credits. Every shoot stays in its [project](/library/projects), so you can come back and download it again later.
Upgrade to a plan with more monthly credits on **Billing**, or buy a one-time [credit pack](/billing/buy-credits) of 50, 100, 500 or 1,500 credits. You can also earn credits with [Refer & Earn](/account/refer-and-earn), and on the free plan you may be offered free credits for adding your mobile number.
## Related [#related]