Every generation costs credits, and the cost depends on the model you run it through. There's no single flat price per image.
Why the cost varies
Models differ enormously in how much work a single generation takes. Heavier, higher-fidelity models cost more per run than fast ones, and video costs far more than images across the board.
That's why the same monthly balance stretches so differently: on Essential, 8,000 credits covers up to 2,000 images but 25 videos. Same credits, very different jobs.
Spending less per result
Iterate on a faster model while you're still working out the prompt and the framing, then switch to the heavier one for the final run. Getting the composition right on cheap generations is the single biggest saving available. See choosing the right model.
You aren't charged for failures
Credits for failed generations are returned automatically, usually within minutes. A generation counts as delivered once the service returns a usable result, so a result you simply don't like stays spent.
Refresh and rollover
Credits reset at the start of each billing cycle and don't roll over. See do credits expire.
