Blab AI
OpenAI Removes Text Chat Limits for Free and Go ChatGPT Users, Introduces GPT-5.6 Luna
OpenAI announced that starting the week of August 10, 2026, users on its free and Go subscription tiers will no longer face rate limits on text‑only conversations in ChatGPT. The change removes the cap that previously allowed only a handful of messages during peak demand, such as the 10‑message limit reported for free users. The new policy applies only to text input; limits on image generation, file uploads, and voice mode remain unchanged.
Along with the removal of limits, OpenAI is switching the default model for free and Go accounts to GPT‑5.6 Luna. The Luna variant is the smallest model in the GPT‑5.6 family and replaces the earlier GPT‑5.5 Instant. The update also introduces a “Think” button that lets Luna spend more time processing a prompt before replying. For text‑only interactions, the Think button is unlimited; if a user combines it with image generation or other tools, the request counts against the existing limits for those modalities.
Paying customers in the Plus and Pro tiers receive a separate update. OpenAI has released an updated GPT‑5.6 Sol model that is tuned for everyday conversation. The new version is designed to provide more focused answers, reduce unnecessary formatting, and give the model a greater willingness to challenge a user’s assumptions when it is useful. Plus and Pro users also gain an effort slider that allows them to control how much “thinking” the model performs for each response, a feature that is similar to effort controls offered by other large‑language‑model providers.
OpenAI framed the change as a move to increase access. “Access shapes opportunity, and this update gives more people the ability to keep asking, develop an idea, and get help when they need it,” the company said. The announcement comes as ChatGPT’s free tier has grown to 900 million weekly active users as of February 2026, making the platform one of the most widely used AI services worldwide.
The removal of text limits does not affect the pricing structure for the free tier. Users still do not pay for text interactions, but the company will continue to enforce limits on other modalities that consume more compute resources. The change is expected to keep free users engaged and reduce the incentive to switch to competing services such as Gemini or Claude.
OpenAI’s GPT‑5.6 family was first released publicly in July 2026. The Luna model is priced at $0.20 per million input tokens and $1.20 per million output tokens, according to OpenAI’s published pricing. The Sol model is part of the same family but is positioned as the flagship offering for paid subscribers.
The update is part of a broader strategy to balance user experience with the cost of inference. By removing limits on the least resource‑intensive model for free users, OpenAI can offer unlimited text conversations while still protecting its infrastructure from excessive usage on more demanding features.
In summary, starting the week of August 10, 2026, free and Go ChatGPT users will enjoy unlimited text‑only conversations powered by GPT‑5.6 Luna, with a new Think button that extends the model’s processing time. Paying customers will receive an updated GPT‑5.6 Sol model and an effort slider. Limits on image generation, file uploads, and voice mode will remain. The change reflects OpenAI’s ongoing effort to broaden access while managing compute costs.
Along with the removal of limits, OpenAI is switching the default model for free and Go accounts to GPT‑5.6 Luna. The Luna variant is the smallest model in the GPT‑5.6 family and replaces the earlier GPT‑5.5 Instant. The update also introduces a “Think” button that lets Luna spend more time processing a prompt before replying. For text‑only interactions, the Think button is unlimited; if a user combines it with image generation or other tools, the request counts against the existing limits for those modalities.
Paying customers in the Plus and Pro tiers receive a separate update. OpenAI has released an updated GPT‑5.6 Sol model that is tuned for everyday conversation. The new version is designed to provide more focused answers, reduce unnecessary formatting, and give the model a greater willingness to challenge a user’s assumptions when it is useful. Plus and Pro users also gain an effort slider that allows them to control how much “thinking” the model performs for each response, a feature that is similar to effort controls offered by other large‑language‑model providers.
OpenAI framed the change as a move to increase access. “Access shapes opportunity, and this update gives more people the ability to keep asking, develop an idea, and get help when they need it,” the company said. The announcement comes as ChatGPT’s free tier has grown to 900 million weekly active users as of February 2026, making the platform one of the most widely used AI services worldwide.
The removal of text limits does not affect the pricing structure for the free tier. Users still do not pay for text interactions, but the company will continue to enforce limits on other modalities that consume more compute resources. The change is expected to keep free users engaged and reduce the incentive to switch to competing services such as Gemini or Claude.
OpenAI’s GPT‑5.6 family was first released publicly in July 2026. The Luna model is priced at $0.20 per million input tokens and $1.20 per million output tokens, according to OpenAI’s published pricing. The Sol model is part of the same family but is positioned as the flagship offering for paid subscribers.
The update is part of a broader strategy to balance user experience with the cost of inference. By removing limits on the least resource‑intensive model for free users, OpenAI can offer unlimited text conversations while still protecting its infrastructure from excessive usage on more demanding features.
In summary, starting the week of August 10, 2026, free and Go ChatGPT users will enjoy unlimited text‑only conversations powered by GPT‑5.6 Luna, with a new Think button that extends the model’s processing time. Paying customers will receive an updated GPT‑5.6 Sol model and an effort slider. Limits on image generation, file uploads, and voice mode will remain. The change reflects OpenAI’s ongoing effort to broaden access while managing compute costs.
