OpenAI removes text chat limits for free ChatGPT users and updates GPT-5.6 models

OpenAI has announced a significant update to its ChatGPT platform, removing usage limits for text-based chats for free users. While previous versions of the service imposed daily caps on the number of messages a user could send, the company is now allowing unlimited text interactions. This change does not apply to more resource-intensive tasks, as limits remain in place for image generation, file uploads, and voice tools.

Alongside the removal of chat caps, OpenAI is upgrading the default model for free and Go-tier users to GPT-5.6 Luna. This lightweight model is intended to provide more accurate responses, with internal testing by OpenAI suggesting that factual errors are 62% less common compared to the previous GPT-5.5 Instant model. Additionally, free and Go subscribers will gain access to a new "Think" button, which allows the model to dedicate more processing time to complex queries requiring deeper reasoning.

For those with Plus and Pro subscriptions, the flagship GPT-5.6 Sol model is receiving a series of refinements. OpenAI has tuned the model to provide more direct answers with tighter formatting, specifically aiming to reduce unnecessary detail. The company claims the updated model is more reliable when handling tasks involving dates, numbers, rules, and source-based assumptions, reporting a 68% reduction in factual errors compared to the GPT-5.5 Instant model.

Plus and Pro users also gain a new interface tool in the form of a reasoning slider. This feature allows users to manually adjust the amount of "thought" or computational effort the model applies to a given response. By moving the slider, users can choose between faster, more concise answers for everyday questions or higher-reasoning outputs for complex planning, research, and coding tasks. This slider is being integrated across the web, mobile, and desktop versions of ChatGPT.

The rollout of these features is staggered, with the GPT-5.6 Luna model becoming the default for free users this week. The unlimited text chat functionality, the "Think" button, and the reasoning slider for paid tiers are scheduled to arrive for users starting next week. OpenAI noted that these updates are specific to the ChatGPT interface and do not affect the versions of GPT-5.6 Sol currently powering ChatGPT Work or Codex.