What are OpenAI's image generation models and how do you use them in applications?

OpenAI offers image generation models accessible via the Images API. As of mid-2026 the recommended models are gpt-image-2 and gpt-image-1, following the deprecation of DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3 in May 2026.

from openai import OpenAI
import base64

client = OpenAI()

# Generate an image (gpt-image-2)
response = client.images.generate(
    model="gpt-image-2",
    prompt="A Python snake debugging code on a computer, photorealistic",
    size="1024x1024",
    quality="high",
    n=1,
    response_format="b64_json",   # or "url"
)
image_data = base64.b64decode(response.data[0].b64_json)

# Image editing (inpainting)
response = client.images.edit(
    model="gpt-image-2",
    image=open("original.png", "rb"),
    mask=open("mask.png", "rb"),   # transparent area = area to edit
    prompt="Replace the background with a futuristic city skyline",
)

# Via Responses API (gpt-image-1 as a tool):
response = client.responses.create(
    model="gpt-5.5",
    input="Create a diagram of a microservices architecture.",
    tools=[{"type": "image_generation"}],
)

Note on DALL-E deprecation: DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3 model snapshots were deprecated and removed from the API on May 12, 2026. Applications referencing dall-e-2 or dall-e-3 will now receive errors and must migrate to gpt-image-2, gpt-image-1, or gpt-image-1-mini.

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