OpenAI has removed usage limits on text-only chats for its free ChatGPT users, a move that grants the broadest access yet to the artificial intelligence service. The company announced on Thursday that free accounts will now be able to engage in unlimited text conversations. This change aims to make the AI more accessible for everyday tasks and brainstorming sessions.
Alongside the removal of text chat limits, free users will now have GPT-5.6 Luna as their default model. OpenAI stated that this model, the smallest in its new GPT-5.6 family, is more capable than the previous default, GPT-5.5 Instant. Internal evaluations suggest GPT-5.6 Luna produces 62% fewer factual errors than its predecessor. A new "Think" button will also be available for free and $8 per month Go subscribers. This feature allows the model additional processing time to generate more considered responses to complex questions.
Limits will continue to apply to other modalities of ChatGPT. These include image generation, voice mode interactions, and the uploading of files. The company has not provided specific details on these remaining limits.
For paid subscribers, OpenAI is upgrading the GPT-5.6 Sol model, its flagship offering. This updated version is optimized for everyday conversations and tasks such as web research, writing, planning, and decision-making. OpenAI claims the updated Sol model provides more focused answers, adapts its level of detail, and avoids unnecessary formatting. Paid users will also receive a slider tool that allows them to adjust the "thought" or reasoning effort applied by the model to a query. This offers finer control over the complexity and depth of the AI's responses.
The changes are being rolled out across ChatGPT's web, mobile, and desktop applications. GPT-5.6 Luna is becoming the default model for free users this week, with the unlimited chats and "Think" button expected to be available next week. The rollout of the slider for paid users is available starting today.
This expansion of free access follows OpenAI's announcement in May that ChatGPT had surpassed one billion monthly users. The decision to remove text chat limits appears to be a strategy to retain and grow this user base, particularly in the face of increasing competition from other AI services. The company has also stated that it has implemented additional guardrails to prevent misuse, including avoiding romantic roleplay and age-restricted challenges.
OpenAI has previously retired older models to streamline its offerings. In late June 2026, GPT-4.5 was retired from ChatGPT. More recently, on August 26, 2026, OpenAI o3 will be retired. These retirements apply only to ChatGPT and do not affect the API.