How to Use DALL-E 3: AI Image Generation Guide (2026)
How to Use DALL-E 3: AI Image Generation Guide (2026)
DALL-E 3 changed what people expect from AI image generation. When OpenAI released it in October 2023, it set a new bar for how accurately an AI system could interpret natural language descriptions and turn them into detailed, visually coherent images.
Even though OpenAI has since introduced newer image models like GPT Image 1, DALL-E 3 remains widely used and deeply integrated into ChatGPT. For most users, it is still the primary way they generate images with AI, whether for social media graphics, blog illustrations, product mockups, or creative exploration.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using DALL-E 3 effectively, from accessing it through ChatGPT to writing prompts that produce exactly what you have in mind, to editing images after generation.
What Is DALL-E 3?
DALL-E 3 is an AI image generation model developed by OpenAI. It takes text descriptions (called prompts) and generates original images based on what you describe. The name is a play on the surrealist artist Salvador Dali and Pixar’s WALL-E robot.
What makes DALL-E 3 different from earlier versions and many competitors is its prompt adherence. It understands nuance, spatial relationships, and complex descriptions with significantly more accuracy than DALL-E 2. If you ask for “a red bicycle leaning against a blue fence with a tabby cat sitting in the basket,” DALL-E 3 actually delivers that scene with the right colors, objects, and spatial arrangement most of the time.
DALL-E 3 vs. GPT Image 1
OpenAI now offers multiple image generation models. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | DALL-E 3 | GPT Image 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Release | October 2023 | March 2025 |
| Quality tiers | Standard, HD | Low, Medium, High |
| Resolutions | 1024×1024, 1024×1792, 1792×1024 | Multiple flexible options |
| Prompt adherence | Very good | Better |
| Text in images | Decent | Improved |
| API price (standard) | $0.04-$0.12/image | Higher |
| ChatGPT integration | Yes | Yes (replacing DALL-E 3) |
DALL-E 3 is still excellent for most use cases and remains more cost-effective through the API. GPT Image 1 is the newer flagship model with improvements in quality and prompt following.
How to Access DALL-E 3
There are three main ways to use DALL-E 3: through ChatGPT, through the OpenAI API, and through Microsoft Bing Image Creator.
Method 1: Through ChatGPT (Easiest)
The simplest way to use DALL-E 3 is within ChatGPT itself. Image generation is built directly into the conversation interface.
Requirements: ChatGPT Plus ($20/month), Pro ($200/month), or Team/Enterprise plan. Free and Go plan users have limited image generation.
Steps:
!Screenshot placeholder: ChatGPT interface with a DALL-E 3 generated image of a Japanese garden
Benefits of using ChatGPT:
- Natural language conversation — no technical syntax needed
- ChatGPT can refine your prompt before sending it to DALL-E 3
- You can iterate on images through conversation (“make the water more blue”, “add cherry blossoms”)
- Built-in editing tools for inpainting
Method 2: Through the OpenAI API (For Developers)
If you are building an application or need programmatic access, the OpenAI API gives you direct access to DALL-E 3.
API Pricing (per image):
| Quality | 1024×1024 | 1024×1792 / 1792×1024 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0.040 | $0.080 |
| HD | $0.080 | $0.120 |
Basic API Call (Python):
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI()
response = client.images.generate(
model="dall-e-3",
prompt="A cozy bookshop interior with warm lighting, floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves filled with books, a reading nook by the window with rain outside",
size="1024x1024",
quality="standard",
n=1,
)
image_url = response.data[0].url
print(image_url)
API Parameters:
| Parameter | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
model |
dall-e-3 |
Specifies the model |
prompt |
String (up to 4000 chars) | Your image description |
size |
1024x1024, 1024x1792, 1792x1024 |
Image dimensions |
quality |
standard, hd |
Detail level |
n |
1 |
Number of images (DALL-E 3 only supports 1 per request) |
style |
vivid, natural |
Creative interpretation level |
Note: DALL-E 3 generates one image per API request. To get multiple variations, you need to make multiple API calls.
Method 3: Through Bing Image Creator
Microsoft integrated DALL-E 3 into Bing Image Creator, offering free access with a Microsoft account.
Steps:
Bing Image Creator provides free DALL-E 3 access with daily “boosts” (fast generations). After your boosts run out, generation becomes slower but still works. This is the most accessible way to try DALL-E 3 without spending anything.
Writing Effective DALL-E 3 Prompts
The quality of your generated images depends largely on how well you write your prompts. DALL-E 3 responds well to natural, descriptive language.
The Prompt Framework
A consistently effective DALL-E 3 prompt covers these elements:
Prompt Examples: Building Complexity
Simple (produces decent results):
A lighthouse at sunset
Detailed (produces much better results):
A tall white lighthouse perched on rugged coastal cliffs during golden hour, dramatic clouds in the sky, waves crashing against the rocks below, seagulls flying in the distance, shot in the style of landscape photography with warm tones and high contrast
Highly specific (produces exactly what you want):
A tall white lighthouse with red trim perched on rugged coastal cliffs during golden hour, the sun is setting behind the lighthouse creating a silhouette effect, dramatic orange and purple clouds fill the sky, large waves crash against dark basalt rocks below, three seagulls fly in a V formation in the middle distance, wide-angle landscape photography composition, warm color palette dominated by amber and coral tones, high dynamic range
Style Keywords That Transform Results
DALL-E 3 responds strongly to style descriptors. Here are some of the most effective ones:
| Category | Keywords | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | editorial photography, 35mm film, portrait photography, macro lens | Realistic photographic look |
| Painting | oil painting, watercolor, acrylic on canvas, impressionist | Traditional art mediums |
| Digital art | digital illustration, concept art, matte painting | Modern digital aesthetic |
| 3D | 3D render, clay render, isometric 3D | Three-dimensional look |
| Vintage | retro poster, 1950s advertisement, vintage postcard | Period-specific aesthetic |
| Minimalist | flat design, minimal, line art, geometric | Clean, simple designs |
| Dark/moody | noir, chiaroscuro, low-key lighting | Dramatic, shadowy atmosphere |
| Bright/cheerful | pastel colors, Studio Ghibli inspired, whimsical | Light, uplifting mood |
The “Vivid” vs. “Natural” Style Parameter
When using the API, DALL-E 3 offers two style modes:
- Vivid (default): DALL-E 3 automatically adds drama, color intensity, and creative interpretation to your prompt. Results tend to be more eye-catching and artistic.
- Natural: Produces images that are more true-to-life and less hyper-stylized. Better for product photos, realistic scenes, and professional use cases.
In ChatGPT, you can influence this by including words like “realistic,” “natural,” or “photographic” in your prompt for more natural results, or “dramatic,” “vivid,” or “artistic” for the vivid style.
Step-by-Step: Creating Specific Types of Images
Product Mockups
A sleek minimal water bottle in matte navy blue sitting on a white marble countertop, soft studio lighting with gentle shadows, clean background, commercial product photography style, 45-degree angle view
Tips for product mockups:
- Specify the material and color precisely
- Include the surface/background it sits on
- Mention “commercial product photography” or “studio lighting”
- Describe the camera angle
!Screenshot placeholder: DALL-E 3 product mockup generation example
Social Media Graphics
An Instagram post design for a coffee shop promotion, warm brown and cream color scheme, a steaming cup of latte art in the center, the text "Morning Brew Special" in elegant serif font at the top, cozy autumn vibes, flat lay photography style
Tips for social media graphics:
- Specify the platform (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) for appropriate styling
- Include any text you want in the image (DALL-E 3 handles text better than earlier versions)
- Describe the color scheme to match your brand
- Note: Text rendering is improved but not perfect; short phrases work better than paragraphs
Illustrations for Blog Posts
A clean, modern illustration showing the concept of remote work, a person sitting at a desk with a laptop in a cozy home office, plants on the windowsill, a cat sleeping on a nearby chair, flat illustration style with muted pastel colors, simple clean lines
Tips for illustrations:
- “Flat illustration” and “clean lines” produce consistent, professional-looking results
- Specifying a color palette keeps things cohesive across multiple images
- Include small details that add personality without cluttering the image
Logos and Brand Elements
A modern minimalist logo for a tech startup called "NovaPulse," incorporating a geometric representation of a pulse wave or heartbeat line, clean vector style, navy blue and electric blue color scheme, white background, scalable design
Tips for logo generation:
- DALL-E 3 can generate logo concepts, but they typically need professional refinement
- Use these as starting points and inspiration rather than final logos
- Specify “white background” for easy extraction
- Results are raster images, not vectors; you will need to trace them in design software
Editing Images with DALL-E 3
One of the most useful features when using DALL-E 3 through ChatGPT is the ability to edit generated images after creation.
Inpainting: Edit Specific Areas
Inpainting lets you select a region of a generated image and replace it with something new while keeping the rest of the image intact.
How to use inpainting in ChatGPT:
Common inpainting uses:
- Fixing distorted hands or faces
- Changing the color of a specific object
- Removing unwanted elements from the background
- Adding objects that were missing from the original generation
- Changing clothing, accessories, or small details
Tips for successful inpainting:
- Select a slightly larger area than just the element you want to change; this gives the AI more context to blend the edit naturally
- Be specific in your edit description: “Replace the red car with a blue bicycle” works better than “change the vehicle”
- If the first edit does not look right, try again with a different description or adjust your selection area
Outpainting: Extend Beyond the Frame
Outpainting extends your image beyond its original borders. This is useful when you want to reveal more of the scene.
In ChatGPT, you can outpaint by:
This works best for landscapes and environments. It is less reliable for portraits or images with specific subjects at the edges.
Iterative Refinement Through Conversation
One of the biggest advantages of using DALL-E 3 through ChatGPT is the conversational workflow. You do not need to get the perfect image in one shot.
Example conversation flow:
You: “Create an image of a cozy cabin in snowy mountains at twilight”
ChatGPT generates the image
You: “I like it, but make the cabin larger and add warm light glowing from the windows”
ChatGPT generates an updated version
You: “Add a chimney with smoke rising into the sky”
ChatGPT generates another version
Each round builds on the previous result, and ChatGPT maintains context about what you liked and what you want changed.
Advanced Techniques
Using Reference Images
You can upload an image to ChatGPT and ask DALL-E 3 to generate something inspired by it. This is not copying — the model creates original work influenced by the reference.
I'm uploading an image of my living room. Create an illustration in a warm, cozy art style that captures the same furniture arrangement and color palette but transforms it into a watercolor painting.
This is useful for:
- Creating artistic versions of real photos
- Matching the style or color palette of an existing design
- Generating variations on a theme
Consistent Style Across Multiple Images
If you need a series of images with a consistent look (for a blog post series, slide deck, or brand assets), include the same style description in each prompt:
Base style string:
flat vector illustration with a limited palette of navy blue, coral, and cream, clean geometric shapes, minimal detail, white background
Then use that same style description appended to each individual prompt. This produces a more cohesive set than generating each image independently.
Generating Text in Images
DALL-E 3 handles text significantly better than DALL-E 2, but it still has limitations. Keep text short and prominent for best results.
What works well:
- Short titles (1-4 words)
- Numbers
- Single letters or initials
- Text that is the focal point of the image
What often fails:
- Long sentences or paragraphs
- Small text in busy backgrounds
- Specific fonts (you can suggest “serif” or “sans-serif” but not a specific typeface)
- Text in languages other than English
If you need reliable text in your images, consider generating the image without text and adding it afterward in a design tool like Canva or Photoshop.
DALL-E 3 Pricing Breakdown
Here is a complete look at what you will pay depending on how you access DALL-E 3:
| Access Method | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Free / Go | $0-$8/mo | Limited image generation |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20/mo | Generous image generation + editing |
| ChatGPT Pro | $200/mo | Unlimited image generation |
| API (Standard, 1024×1024) | $0.04/image | Programmatic access |
| API (HD, 1024×1024) | $0.08/image | Higher quality programmatic access |
| API (HD, 1792×1024) | $0.12/image | HD at larger resolution |
| Bing Image Creator | Free | DALL-E 3 with daily boost limits |
For most individuals, ChatGPT Plus at $20 per month provides the best value since you get image generation bundled with all other ChatGPT features. Developers and businesses that need high-volume generation should use the API for better cost control and integration flexibility.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Prompts That Are Too Vague
Bad: “A nice picture of nature”
Good: “A misty forest clearing at dawn with sunbeams filtering through tall pine trees, a small stream running through the center, morning dew on the grass, realistic photography style”
Mistake 2: Overloading the Prompt
Bad: “A sunset over the ocean with dolphins jumping and a sailboat and a lighthouse and seagulls and clouds and a rainbow and a whale in the background and surfers and a beach with palm trees and coconuts and a bonfire and people dancing”
When you pack too many subjects into a single prompt, DALL-E 3 may ignore some elements or arrange them awkwardly. Focus on 3-5 key elements and describe them well.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Aspect Ratio
Many users generate square images by default when their actual use case calls for a different ratio. If you are creating a blog header, you probably want a landscape orientation. For a phone wallpaper, you want portrait. Specify this in your prompt or API parameters.
Mistake 4: Not Iterating
The first image rarely nails exactly what you want. Use conversational refinement in ChatGPT or generate multiple variations through the API. Professional designers using AI image generation typically go through 5 to 15 iterations before landing on a final image.
Mistake 5: Using AI Images Without Review
Always review generated images carefully before publishing them. Check for:
- Distorted hands or fingers
- Incorrect text or garbled letters
- Artifacts or visual glitches
- Content that might be culturally insensitive
- Unintended watermark-like patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use DALL-E 3 images commercially?
Yes. According to OpenAI’s terms of service, you own the images you create with DALL-E 3, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise them. This applies to images generated through both the API and ChatGPT.
Is DALL-E 3 free?
You can access DALL-E 3 for free through Bing Image Creator at bing.com/create. Within ChatGPT, image generation is available on paid plans (Plus at $20/month and above). The Free and Go ChatGPT plans offer limited image generation. Through the API, you pay per image starting at $0.04.
What is the maximum resolution DALL-E 3 supports?
DALL-E 3 generates images at three resolutions: 1024×1024 (square), 1024×1792 (portrait), and 1792×1024 (landscape). These are the native output sizes. If you need higher resolution, you can upscale the images afterward using third-party tools.
How is DALL-E 3 different from Midjourney?
Both are excellent AI image generators, but they have different strengths. DALL-E 3 excels at prompt adherence (accurately rendering what you describe) and is tightly integrated with ChatGPT for a conversational workflow. Midjourney tends to produce more aesthetically polished images with a distinctive artistic quality, but requires learning specific parameters and commands. DALL-E 3 is generally easier for beginners, while Midjourney gives experienced users more fine-grained control.
Will DALL-E 3 be replaced by GPT Image 1?
OpenAI has already introduced GPT Image 1 as a newer flagship model. Within ChatGPT, image generation is gradually transitioning to the newer model. However, DALL-E 3 remains available through the API and continues to be a solid option, especially for users who have established workflows around it. The transition is not a hard cutoff; both models coexist.
Wrapping Up
DALL-E 3 lowered the barrier to creating professional-quality images with AI. Whether you access it through ChatGPT, the API, or Bing Image Creator, the fundamentals remain the same: write clear, descriptive prompts, specify the style and mood you want, and iterate until the result matches your vision.
The easiest way to start is through ChatGPT. Type a description, see what comes out, and refine through conversation. As you get more comfortable, experiment with specific style keywords, different compositions, and the editing tools for inpainting and outpainting.
For developers, the API offers cost-effective programmatic access that you can integrate into your own applications. And for anyone who just wants to try it without paying, Bing Image Creator gives you free DALL-E 3 access today.
The best way to learn is to generate images. Open a new ChatGPT conversation, describe something you want to see, and start experimenting.
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