# GPT Image 2.6 Flare

> GPT Image 2.6 Flare is one of the two API models OpenAI released with Images 2.6 on November 4, 2026. OpenAI positions it for image generation and editing with fast iteration: it says Images 2.6 generates images 50% faster than before, that Flare can return an image in as little as six seconds at low quality, and that layouts for posters and product imagery improved. The other model, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst, targets more detailed work. They are separate model ids, so you choose by name.

Canonical: https://routemux.com/openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare
Provider: OpenAI

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Model ID | openai/gpt-image-2.6-flare |
| Official model ID | gpt-image-2.6-flare |
| Input modalities | text |
| Output modalities | image |
| Capabilities | Image Generation |
| Upstream release | 2026-11-04 |
| Availability | available |

## Pricing

- RouteMux: $24 per 1M tokens
- Official: $30 per 1M tokens
- Saving vs official: 20%
- Official price source: https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing, verified 2026-11-05

Billing is prepaid wallet, charged per successful request only.

## API access

Base URL: https://api.routemux.com

Supported protocols:

- openai_images

## What is GPT Image 2.6 Flare

GPT Image 2.6 Flare is one of the two API models OpenAI released with Images 2.6 on November 4, 2026. OpenAI positions it for image generation and editing with fast iteration: it says Images 2.6 generates images 50% faster than before, that Flare can return an image in as little as six seconds at low quality, and that layouts for posters and product imagery improved. The other model, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst, targets more detailed work. They are separate model ids, so you choose by name.

The headline addition is GIF output. Set output_format to gif and a single request returns a complete looping GIF, with no frame assembly on your side. On RouteMux a GIF is 512×512, frame_count is 2 to 16, frame_duration_ms is 20 to 2000 in steps of 10, and n must be 1. In our runs on November 6, 2026, a 9-frame GIF at low quality used 1,172 image output tokens and took Flare 16 to 23 seconds. You can pick GIF in the try-it panel on this page and run one.

Still images come back as PNG, with size given in pixels such as 1024x1024, 2048x2048 or 3840x2160; unlike 2.5, the literal "2K" and "4K" values are not accepted. Quality runs from auto through low, medium, high and xhigh to max, and complexity (low, medium, high) sets how much planning goes into each image. Billing is per token, with separate rates for text input and image output that stay the same at standard, 2K and 4K, so larger images and higher quality simply produce more output tokens.

Requests use the OpenAI Images protocol at /v1/images/generations and return synchronously, with the image as base64 in data[0].b64_json. OpenAI's 2.6 also supports edits and SVG export; RouteMux has not opened those yet.

## Key capabilities

- **GIFs in one request** — Set output_format to gif for a complete looping GIF: 512×512, 2 to 16 frames, 20 to 2000 ms per frame.
- **The fast 2.6 model** — OpenAI says Flare can return an image in as little as six seconds at low quality, with better poster and product layouts.
- **2K / 4K stills** — Give size in pixels, up to 3840×2160; standard, 2K and 4K share one set of token rates.
- **20% below official rates** — Billed per token on RouteMux, with text input and image output each 20% below OpenAI list price.

## Use cases

- **Reaction GIFs and memes** — The first use OpenAI lists in its launch post: reactions and memes for social media.
- **Mascots and product loops** — OpenAI mentions animating a brand mascot for a campaign or turning a product shot into an eye-catching loop.
- **Animated storyboards** — Explore character movement with animated storyboards before video production, an example from the launch post.

## Other variants in this family

- GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst (`openai/gpt-image-2.6-sunburst`)

## Sources

- [OpenAI — Introducing Images 2.6](https://openai.com/index/introducing-images-2-6/)
- [OpenAI — GPT Image 2.6 Flare model page](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.6-flare)
- [OpenAI — Image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation)
- [OpenAI — API pricing](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing)