CGPress has compiled this guide to clarify how Adobe’s generative-credit system works. Since the release of the latest versions of Photoshop and other Creative Cloud apps, many readers have expressed confusion over how AI features are now billed and limited. Adobe’s documentation is spread across several pages, so this article summarises the key information in one place. To see the full details of how many credits are available in each plan, and the credit costs for each feature, visit the following pages.
Adobe recently introduced a suite of new AI tools in its flagship apps including Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, and Illustrator. These tools include one-click compositing and masking, image upscaling and prompt generation in Firefly Boards, and bulk editing workflows via Firefly Creative Production. The company also introduced an AI Assistant in Photoshop on the web and conversational assistants in Adobe Express and Adobe Firefly, enabling users to issue instructions and switch seamlessly between conversational and manual tools.
New partner models and creative-AI models were embedded across the Creative Cloud applications: for example, Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 Kontext, and Adobe’s Firefly Image Model 5. The announcement highlighted that these models now appear in the Adobe apps directly so users can remain in their workflow rather than switching tools. The launch also noted that until 1 December, subscribers to Creative Cloud Pro and Firefly plans receive unlimited image generations with Firefly and partner models, plus unlimited video generations with the Firefly Video Model.
Adobe uses a system of “generative credits” that are consumed whenever users access AI-powered features such as Generative Fill in Photoshop, text-to-image creation in Firefly, or video generation through partner models. These credits are tied to each user’s Adobe ID and reset monthly. They do not accumulate from one cycle to the next. Once the monthly allocation is used, further use of premium AI tools either requires waiting until credits renew or purchasing extra credit packs.
The number of credits assigned depends on the user’s plan. Free accounts receive a limited introductory allocation that expires after one month. Photography and single-app plans, such as Photoshop-only subscriptions, include small monthly allocations. Full “All Apps” or “Pro” plans provide larger allocations and may allow unlimited use of standard generative features. Users who require more can purchase additional Firefly or credit-add-on plans.
Monthly generative credit allocations by plan
| Plan | Monthly generative credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Starter (no paid subscription) | Limited allocation when a Firefly feature is used for the first time; expires after one month | First use triggers the allocation; renews monthly |
| Photography or Single-App plans (new subscribers) | Approximately 25 credits per month | Applies to recent “Standard”-type offerings; legacy plans may differ |
| Full All-Apps / Pro (Creative Cloud Pro for individuals) | Up to 4,000 credits per month for premium features; standard features may be unlimited within the plan | Access to premium features depends on plan terms and region |
| Firefly plans / Credit add-on packages | Varies by add-on tier (e.g., thousands to tens of thousands of credits per month) | Intended for high-volume use of premium and partner models |
Credit allocations can vary by region, plan version and sign-up date. Check your Adobe account for the exact monthly allowance and reset date.
Credit consumption varies by feature. Adobe divides AI tools into two broad categories: standard and premium. Standard features, such as Adobe’s own Firefly-powered Generative Fill and text-to-image tools, typically use one credit per generation. Premium features consume significantly more, particularly those that rely on third-party models or video generation. Some examples are shown below.
Premium features powered by Firefly
Adobe’s premium generative features, available only on plans that include access to premium AI tools, consume more than one credit per generation. The number of credits depends on output type, resolution and frame rate.
| Category | Feature | Resolution / Setting | Credit cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video | Generate Video (24 fps) | 540 p | 20 credits / sec |
| 720 p | 50 credits / sec | ||
| 1080 p | 100 credits / sec | ||
| Generative Extend in Premiere (30 fps) | 720 p | 75 credits / sec | |
| 1080 p | 125 credits / sec | ||
| 4 K | 175 credits / sec | ||
| Generative Extend in Premiere (24 fps) | 720 p | 50 credits / sec | |
| 1080 p | 100 credits / sec | ||
| Audio | Translate Video / Translate Audio | Varies | 5 credits / sec |
| Translate & Lip Sync (1080 p) | 1080 p | 10 credits / sec | |
| Translate & Lip Sync (4 K) | 4 K | 15 credits / sec (Enterprise plans only) | |
| Generate Sound Effects | 48 kHz | 10 credits / generation | |
| Text to Avatar (beta) | Up to 1080 p | 10 credits / sec | |
| GenMusic | Varies | 20 credits / min | |
| Image | Firefly Image 4 Ultra | N/A | 20 credits / generation |
| Firefly Image 5 | N/A | 10 credits / generation | |
| Generative Fill using Partner Models in Photoshop | N/A | 10 credits / generation | |
| Generative Upscale, AI Denoise & AI Sharpen (using Partner Models) | Varies | Varies by model and resolution |
Translate & Lip Sync is available only to users on select Creative Cloud for Enterprise plans.
Premium features powered by partner models
Adobe now integrates several partner AI models across its Creative Cloud applications. Each model consumes a set number of credits per generation or per second, depending on the type of media being generated. Costs may vary depending on resolution, duration, and promotional periods.
| Category | Model / Feature | Resolution / Setting | Credit cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image generation | Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (Google) | Standard | 20 credits / generation |
| Imagen 3 & 4 | Standard | 20 credits / generation | |
| GPT Image (OpenAI) | Standard | 60 credits / generation | |
| Flux 1.1 Pro, Flux.1 Kontext Pro, and Flux Kontext MAX | Standard | 10 credits / generation | |
| Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra | Standard | 20 credits / generation | |
| Ideogram 3.0 / Turbo | Standard | 10/20 credits / generation | |
| Runway Gen-4 (image preset) | 720 p / 1080 p | 20 credits (720 p) or 40 credits (1080 p) / generation | |
| Video generation | Luma AI Ray2 Flash | 540 p / 720 p / 1080 p / 4 K | 10 / 25 / 50 / 75 credits per second |
| Luma AI Ray2 | 540 p / 720 p / 1080 p / 4 K | 20 / 50 / 100 / 150 credits per second | |
| Luma AI Ray3 (SDR) | 360 p / 540 p / 720 p / 1080 p / 4 K | 25 / 75 / 100 / 125 / 150 credits per second | |
| Luma AI Ray3 (HDR) | 360 p / 540 p / 720 p / 1080 p / 4 K | 75 / 225 / 300 / 375 / 450 credits per second | |
| Pika 2.2 | 720 p / 1080 p | 25 / 50 credits per second | |
| Runway Gen-4 (video) | 720 p / 1080 p | 25 / 50 credits per second (limited-time rate) | |
| Google Veo2 | 720 p | 100 credits per second | |
| Google Veo3 | 720 p (with / without audio) | 100 credits per second (no audio) / 150 credits per second (with audio) |
Actual costs can change and may be affected by resolution, duration, model version and promotional periods. You check the generation dialog in the app for the current rate before committing credits, for example, in Photohop you can hover of the Generate button to see the cost per generation of the selected model.
Some AI-assisted functions in Adobe apps, such as the Remove Tool in Photoshop or certain Illustrator/Text-to-3D features, do not consume credits.
Users can monitor their credit usage via their Adobe Account page or via the app; the counter displays remaining credits, total allocation, and the date of the next reset. When the limit is reached, standard features may continue to operate but at reduced performance, while premium features may pause entirely until the next cycle or until extra credits are purchased.
Adobe’s new AI features and credit system represent a clear change in how Creative Cloud users access generative tools. The introduction of partner models and tiered usage limits has added power and flexibility but also new complexity to everyday workflows. Many creative professionals will now need to track their credit use closely to avoid interruptions or unexpected costs. As the system develops, transparency and clear communication from Adobe will be important for maintaining user confidence and ensuring that these tools remain practical for regular studio work.
