Images · Text to image · Image to image

GPT Image 2.6 API

OpenAI GPT Image 2.6: text-to-image and image editing with sharp text and layouts, transparent backgrounds, a reasoning-effort control and animated GIF output. Flare (fast) by default; Sunburst (premium, slower) by exact model key. From 3¢ (low) to 6¢ (high) per image.

Price
From $0.03 per run from $0.03/image
Typical time
~15 s
Model id
gpt_image_2_6

GPT Image 2.6 runs on one varg API key and one credit balance, the same as every other model here. You pay the provider's price, with no markup.

POST /v2/tools/image/call
curl -X POST https://api.varg.ai/v2/tools/image/call \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $VARG_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "model": "gpt_image_2_6",
  "prompt": "A photorealistic product photo of a coffee bag labeled \"Summit Roast\" with mountain artwork, on a rustic wooden table"
}'

GPT Image 2.6 pricing

From $0.03 per run. Prices are in US dollars and are the provider's own, with no markup. GPT Image 2.6 has 4 routes: "model": "gpt_image_2_6" picks one automatically, or pass a route key as "model" to pin it. For the exact price of a request, send the same body to POST https://api.varg.ai/v2/estimate.

  • fal from $0.03/image
    fal:openai/gpt-image-2.6/flare/text-to-image

    Text to image OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 Flare text-to-image: fast, high-quality generation with natural lighting, rich textures, sharp text and complex layouts, transparent backgrounds, a reasoning-effort control and animated GIF output. The default choice for most applications.

    Quality low
    $0.03/image
    Quality medium
    $0.05/image
    Quality high
    $0.06/image
    Other
    $0.06/image
    Most one request can cost
    $1.10
    Typical time
    ~15 s
  • fal from $0.03/image
    fal:openai/gpt-image-2.6/flare/edit

    Image to image OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 Flare image editing: precise edits that change only what is asked, keeping subject, composition and background intact, from up to 16 reference images. Takes a mask or a markup image (arrows, circles, notes) to guide the edit, and can return an animated GIF.

    Quality low
    $0.03/image
    Quality medium
    $0.05/image
    Quality high
    $0.06/image
    Other
    $0.06/image
    Extra per image_urls
    +$0.01
    Most one request can cost
    $2.20
    Typical time
    ~20 s
  • fal from $0.03/image
    fal:openai/gpt-image-2.6/sunburst/text-to-image

    Text to image OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst text-to-image: the precision tier for premium visual work, extra fidelity on intricate detail in exchange for longer generation times (~50 s). Same price as Flare.

    Quality low
    $0.03/image
    Quality medium
    $0.05/image
    Quality high
    $0.06/image
    Other
    $0.06/image
    Most one request can cost
    $1.10
    Typical time
    ~60 s
  • fal from $0.03/image
    fal:openai/gpt-image-2.6/sunburst/edit

    Image to image OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst image editing: editing built for the tightest control, edits scoped precisely to the instruction, subject and composition preserved across many rounds of revision. Slower than Flare, same price.

    Quality low
    $0.03/image
    Quality medium
    $0.05/image
    Quality high
    $0.06/image
    Other
    $0.06/image
    Extra per image_urls
    +$0.01
    Most one request can cost
    $2.20
    Typical time
    ~60 s

GPT Image 2.6 inputs

The JSON body of the request. Media inputs are URLs: upload a local file with POST /v2/files and pass the URL it returns. Full JSON Schema, no key needed: api.varg.ai/v2/tools/image?model=gpt_image_2_6

GPT Image 2.6 request fields
FieldWhat it does
model string requiredgpt_image_2_6 picks a route automatically. To pin one, pass a route key from Pricing above.
prompt string —
files array of { url } —
aspect_ratio string Allowed e.g. 16:9 | 9:16 | 1:1 | 4:3 | 3:4 | 21:9 | auto

Provider options

Optional, under provider_options.<provider>. Only the options of the provider that runs the job apply; pin a route to choose it.

provider_options.fal

GPT Image 2.6 options for fal
FieldWhat it does
prompt string The prompt for image generation
image_urls array of URL strings —
quality string Allowed auto | low | medium | high
sync_mode boolean If `True`, the media will be returned as a data URI and the output data won't be available in the request history.
background string Allowed auto | transparent | opaque
num_images integer Number of images to generate. Must be 1 for SVG output. For GIF output, all frames of all outputs share the request's pixel budget. Allowed 1–10
frame_count integer GIF only: number of frames. image_size applies to each frame; reduce size or count if the request exceeds the pixel budget. Allowed 2–64
output_format string Allowed jpeg | png | webp | gif | svg
reasoning_effort string Allowed low | medium | high | xhigh | max
frame_duration_ms integer GIF only: milliseconds per frame, rounded to 10 ms. Allowed 20–2000
enable_safety_checker boolean Authorized callers may set false to request relaxed screening.

Call the GPT Image 2.6 API

POST https://api.varg.ai/v2/tools/image/call with Authorization: Bearer $VARG_API_KEY. It answers 202 with a job right away.

1. Send the request

cURL
curl -X POST https://api.varg.ai/v2/tools/image/call \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $VARG_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "model": "gpt_image_2_6",
  "prompt": "A photorealistic product photo of a coffee bag labeled \"Summit Roast\" with mountain artwork, on a rustic wooden table"
}'
JavaScript
JavaScript
const headers = {
  Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.VARG_API_KEY}`,
  'Content-Type': 'application/json',
}

const res = await fetch('https://api.varg.ai/v2/tools/image/call', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers,
  body: JSON.stringify({
    "model": "gpt_image_2_6",
    "prompt": "A photorealistic product photo of a coffee bag labeled \"Summit Roast\" with mountain artwork, on a rustic wooden table"
  }),
})
const job = await res.json() // { id: "job_…", status: "queued" }
Python
Python
import os
import requests

headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['VARG_API_KEY']}"}

job = requests.post(
    "https://api.varg.ai/v2/tools/image/call",
    headers=headers,
    json={
      "model": "gpt_image_2_6",
      "prompt": "A photorealistic product photo of a coffee bag labeled \"Summit Roast\" with mountain artwork, on a rustic wooden table"
    },
).json()  # {"id": "job_…", "status": "queued"}

2. Get the result

Poll the job until its status is completed, failed or cancelled; GPT Image 2.6 typically takes about 15 s. The result is at output.outputs[0].url.

GET /v2/jobs/{id}
curl https://api.varg.ai/v2/jobs/$JOB_ID \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $VARG_API_KEY"

# Poll until "status" is completed, failed or cancelled.
# The result is in output.outputs[0].url
JavaScript
JavaScript
let current = job
while (!['completed', 'failed', 'cancelled'].includes(current.status)) {
  await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 3000))
  current = await (await fetch(`https://api.varg.ai/v2/jobs/${current.id}`, { headers })).json()
}
console.log(current.output?.outputs?.[0]?.url)
Python
Python
import time

while job["status"] not in ("completed", "failed", "cancelled"):
    time.sleep(3)
    job = requests.get(f"https://api.varg.ai/v2/jobs/{job['id']}", headers=headers).json()

print(job["output"]["outputs"][0]["url"])
Or take a webhook instead of polling

Add options.webhook_url and varg POSTs the finished job to it.

request body
{
  "model": "gpt_image_2_6",
  "prompt": "A photorealistic product photo of a coffee bag labeled \"Summit Roast\" with mountain artwork, on a rustic wooden table",
  "options": {
    "webhook_url": "https://your-app.com/varg-webhook"
  }
}

From Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor (MCP)

The varg MCP server, https://mcp.varg.ai/mcp, runs GPT Image 2.6 with call_tool. Sign in with varg, no API key to paste. How to connect it

call_tool
{
  "tool": "image",
  "input": {
    "model": "gpt_image_2_6",
    "prompt": "A photorealistic product photo of a coffee bag labeled \"Summit Roast\" with mountain artwork, on a rustic wooden table"
  },
  "wait": true
}

GPT Image 2.6 API: questions

How much does GPT Image 2.6 cost on varg?
GPT Image 2.6 costs from $0.03 per run on varg (from $0.03/image on the cheapest route). varg charges the provider's price with no markup, from one credit balance. For the exact price of a request before you run it, send the same body to POST https://api.varg.ai/v2/estimate.
How do I call the GPT Image 2.6 API?
Send POST https://api.varg.ai/v2/tools/image/call with the header "Authorization: Bearer $VARG_API_KEY" and a JSON body that includes "model": "gpt_image_2_6". The call answers 202 with a job right away. Poll GET https://api.varg.ai/v2/jobs/{id} until "status" is "completed", then read output.outputs[0].url, or pass options.webhook_url to be called back.
Can I use GPT Image 2.6 from Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor?
Yes. Add the varg MCP server (https://mcp.varg.ai/mcp) to Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any other MCP client and sign in with varg, with no API key to paste. The agent runs GPT Image 2.6 with call_tool, passing tool "image" and "model": "gpt_image_2_6".
How long does a GPT Image 2.6 request take?
Typically about 15 s on the fastest route, by the catalog's estimate. The API answers at once with a job id, so nothing waits on an open connection while it runs.

For AI agents: this page as Markdown is varg.ai/models/gpt_image_2_6.md, and every model is listed in varg.ai/models/llms.txt.