Generative credits FAQ

Wondering what generative credits are, how many you have in your account, and how you can use them? We've got you covered.

For a list of recent updates to the Generative Credits FAQ, click here.  

Frequently asked questions

1. What are generative credits?

Generative credits are credits available with your paid Creative Cloud plan that enable the use of generative AI features on firefly.adobe.com and within the Adobe Creative Applications. 

2. What is the purpose of generative credits?

Features powered by generative AI are generally more computationally expensive than traditional features. Generative credits provide a way to reflect the additional cost and value of those features and give you a way to keep track of how you have been using them.

3. How do I get generative credits?

Creative Cloud plans include a monthly allocation of generative credits, which you can use to create generative AI content across various features in Creative Cloud, Adobe Express, and Adobe Substance 3D applications. The number of generative credits allotted to each plan varies. The consumption of generative credits also depends on the generative AI feature used and the type of subscription.

You can find more details on how many credits are included with specific plans here.

In addition, you can purchase credits via the Adobe Firefly Standard and Firefly Pro plans here.

4. Are there different types of generative credits?

No. There is only one type of generative credit which can be used for standard and premium generative AI features. However, to use premium features, you must be on a plan with access to those features.

5. What are standard and premium generative AI features? 

Standard and premium generative AI features differ primarily in their functionality and credit usage:

Standard Features:

Each generative AI action for standard image and vector features (like Text to Image and Generative Fill) typically consumes 1 generative credit per use. These features are included as part of your Creative Cloud plans, such as Firefly web app and Photoshop. 

Currently, we are not enforcing generative credit limits on standard features for users with Creative Cloud subscriptions. Once you hit your limit, you may experience reduced generation speeds.

Premium Features: 

Premium generative AI features are features that are more computationally intensive (currently, audio and video generative features).

• Generative Video (beta)
• Translate Video
• Translate Audio

Premium features, accessible through Adobe Firefly standalone plans and select Creative Cloud business plans, include advanced generative AI capabilities for video and audio, such as Generate Video and Translate. You must be on a plan that includes premium features to use these features, with the exception that currently there is a limited number of free generations included with Creative Cloud plans.

6. Do all plans include access to standard and premium generative features?

No. Currently, Creative Cloud plans do not include access to premium features, although, for a limited time, we are providing free premium feature generations for Creative Cloud plans. This includes 2 video generations and 40 seconds of audio / video translation generations.

If you would like access to more premium feature generation, you can purchase them through Firefly plan, which also includes unlimited standard feature generations across apps here.

7. Why are there two types of features?

There are two types of generative AI features to reflect the differences in the cost of generation and value between them. 

8. How are generative credits consumed?

Generative credits are consumed when using features powered by generative AI. 

For example, if you generate an image using Text to Image on firefly.adobe.com that will consume generative credits.

9. Which generative AI features use generative credits?

You can find a complete list of features which use generative credits here.

10. Which generative AI features do not use generative credits?

The following generative AI features do not currently consume generative credits.

• Adobe Express - Generate Text Effects and Clip Maker
• Adobe Photoshop – Generative Workspace (beta)
• Adobe Premiere Pro – Generative Extend (beta)
• Adobe Firefly on Apple Vision Pro - Text to Image
• Substance 3D Sampler - Text to Texture
• Substance 3D Stager - Text to 3D, Text to Background, and 3D Model to image
• Substance 3D Viewer (beta) - Text to 3D and 3D Scene to Image

Our generative AI features are evolving rapidly. This list will be updated as we add more features and services. We plan to offer a wider variety of resolutions, models, and mediums, including animation and 3D generative AI features in the future. 

11. How many credits do premium features use?

The following premium features deduct more than one credit for each generation. These features are only available on plans with access to premium features.

To receive the above-listed consumption rates, you must use the latest version of the software. Usage rates may vary. Plans are subject to change.

* Features are only available to select Enterprise customers at this time.

12. How many monthly generative credits do I get in my plan?

Creative Cloud plans include a plan-specific number of monthly generative credits. 

Creative Cloud for individual plans

Currently, Creative Cloud plans have a limited trial to try premium features (2 video generations and 40 seconds of translation).

Learn more about generative credits for Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express free users.

Adobe Firefly Plans

Adobe Stock plans

Creative Cloud for education plans

Creative Cloud for teams plans

Creative Cloud for Enterprise: VIP and VIP Marketplace 

Creative Cloud for Enterprise: Enterprise Term License Agreement (ETLA)

Adobe Express and other paid plans

*These offers are no longer available.

Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express free users

Users with an Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud free membership are provided with a limited number of generative credits at no cost. These credits allow access to generative AI features for users to play, experiment, and create the extraordinary. Please note the number of credits are be subject to change.

13. If I am on a plan that does not have access to premium generative features, can I try them out?

Yes. Creative Cloud plans do not currently include premium generative features, but Adobe is currently providing a limited trial of premium feature generations (2 free video generations and 40 seconds of translation). To generate more than what is currently included, beyond free generations, you can add a Firefly Standard or Firefly Pro plan. More info here. 

14. What are Adobe Firefly Standard and Adobe Firefly Pro plans?

Adobe Firefly plans unlock access to premium features for creating with advanced generative AI features in creativity and video applications (such as the Firefly web app or Premiere Pro). Firefly plans are needed for access to premium video and audio generative AI features such as  Generate Video and  Translate in Adobe Firefly. Additionally, subscribers with a Firefly paid plan will receive unlimited access to standard image and vector generations such as Text to Image and Generative Fill, where credits will not be deducted.

15. What if I have multiple subscriptions?

If you have multiple subscriptions, the total number of generative credits available is the aggregate of what is included in each plan. For example, if you subscribe to both Illustrator and Photoshop single app, you can use your generative credits for generative AI features in either application and even in Adobe Express or the Firefly web app. Your monthly generative credit allocation is the sum of each subscription’s allocation.

16. When do my generative credits renew?

For customers with a paid subscription, generative credits renew each month based on the plan’s initial billing date (For example, if the plan started on the 15th of the month, the credits would renew on the 15th of each month).

For users with a free plan, generative credits are allocated upon the first-time use of a Firefly-powered feature. For example, a user logs into the Firefly web app and uses Text to Image. At that time, the user is allocated a set number of generative credits. Their generative credits will expire one month from that allocation date. If first-time use is on the 15th of the month, the credits will expire on the 15th of the next month.

For any subsequent months, generative credits are again allocated upon the first-time use of a Firefly-powered feature, and those credits will expire one month from the new allocation date. If first-time use in month two occurs on the 19th of the month, their credits will expire on the 19th of the next month. This gives the user a full month for each allocation of generative credits.

17. Do generative credits roll over month to month?

No, generative credits do not roll over to the next month. Your generative credit balance will reset to your allocated amount on a monthly basis.

18. How do I check how many generative credits I have remaining?

Users can access their generative credit count in their Adobe Account. A counter will show the number of monthly generative credits allocated to your account and the number of generative credits you have used in this cycle.

19. What happens if I use all my generative credits?  

Generative credit counts reset each month based on the billing date of your plan. 

If a user reaches their plan-specific generative credit limit during the month before they reset what happens depends on your plan type.

• Paid Creative Cloud plan members may purchase additional credits for premium features. For a limited time, Adobe may not enforce generative credit limits for standard features. Once you hit your limit, you may experience reduced generation speeds.
• Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly (Legacy), and Adobe Firefly Generative Credits Add-on users with a paid subscription can take two standard generations per day. Adobe Firefly Standard paid subscribers may upgrade to Adobe Firefly Pro or choose to stack an additional Firefly Standard plan for increased capacity.
• Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly, and Adobe Express free users can subscribe to a new paid plan to continue creating Firefly-powered assets.
• For business plans, reach out to your Account Manager or Partner.

21. What if I have the Adobe Firefly (Legacy) and Adobe Firefly Generative Credits Add-on plans?

As of February 12, 2025, the Firefly (Legacy) and Firefly Generative Credits Add-on plans will no longer be available for new purchases. Existing customers can continue to use and renew their current plans. The monthly renewal day will be associated with the start date for when the plan was purchased. Adobe Firefly (Legacy) and Adobe Firefly Generative Credits Add-on paid users will retain access to standard image and vector generative AI features, which their plan-specific credits apply toward these features. In order to access premium video and audio generative AI features, users can upgrade to a new paid Firefly Standard or Firefly Pro plan.

22. What does "commercial use" mean?

Commercial use refers to any type of usage that generates commercial activity for you, your brand, or your business — for example, selling, using print and digital promotional materials, or in the sale of products and content. Outputs from Firefly models and beta features are safe to use commercially unless otherwise designated in the product or elsewhere. Indemnification is provided to select business plans, however, outputs are not eligible for indemnification while in beta.

23. Are generative credits pooled in Creative Cloud for teams or enterprise plans?

Generative credits aren't pooled and can't be shared across multiple users.

24. Are Adobe Stock credits and generative credits the same thing?

No, Adobe Stock credits can't be used to generate content using Firefly-powered features. Only generative credits are used to generate content using Firefly-powered features. 

Adobe Stock credits are used to license content from the Adobe Stock website as defined in the Adobe Stock additional terms or your customer agreement, as applicable.

25. What about future generative AI capabilities and functionalities?

We might introduce new media types — for example, 3D and video — or higher resolution image and vector generation in the future that may incur additional generative credits per generation or additional costs. 

Recent updates on this page

More like this

• Adobe Firefly FAQ
• Generative credits overview
• Content Credentials overview
• Creative Cloud Generative AI Features

Join our community to connect, learn, and engage

For inspiration, expert tips, and solutions to common issues, visit Discord or the Adobe Firefly Community forum. Connect with our team and fellow users to exchange ideas, share your creations, stay updated with the latest features and announcements, and provide feedback.