
OpenAI will restore a 5-hour usage limit for ChatGPT Work and Codex on the Plus plan starting August 25.
The move aims to manage computing load and avoid users exhausting weekly caps.
Pro plans are exempt for several months.
What happened
OpenAI's Tivor Sotio announced on August 24 that the 5-hour usage limit for ChatGPT Work and Codex will return for Plus plan (monthly $20) starting August 25. The limit was previously removed on July 12 for Plus, Pro, and Business plans, then postponed after a planned July 28 revival.
Why it matters
The company says the limit balances computing load and maintains generous weekly caps. Plus users, often casual or new, were using up their weekly allowance too quickly, leading to confusion and a poor experience, according to Sotio.
What to watch
The limit does not apply to Pro plans (monthly $100/$200) for the next few months. The company expects to keep weekly usage allowances generous despite the hourly restriction.
Ask the AI about this article →
The decision to reinstate the 5-hour limit marks a reversal of a temporary removal that began in July. OpenAI had initially lifted the restriction for Plus, Pro, and Business plans on July 12, but then postponed the planned revival on July 28, likely due to operational considerations or user feedback. Now, with the Plus plan specifically targeted, the company aims to balance resource allocation while maintaining a positive experience for its most casual users, who may not anticipate their usage patterns. The exemption for Pro subscribers, who pay a higher monthly fee, suggests a tiered approach to managing capacity, prioritizing higher-paying customers. This move could signal OpenAI's ongoing effort to manage infrastructure costs while keeping core services accessible, though the company has not detailed whether further adjustments might follow.
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