ChatGPT drops text-chat limits for free users, adds new models

OpenAI announced Thursday that it is removing limits on text-based chats for all users on ChatGPT, which recently crossed the 1 billion weekly user mark. A new GPT-5.6 Luna model will power the experience and become the default model for Free and Go users, replacing GPT-5.5.

Free and Go users will also get a new “Think” button that lets them select higher reasoning power for complex questions. OpenAI said separate limits will still apply for files, images, voice, and image generation.

The update brings changes for Plus and Pro users too. They will gain access to an upgraded GPT-5.6 Sol model, which OpenAI says is better suited for quick tasks such as questions, web research, advice, planning, writing, and decision-making, and gives more compact and robust answers. That version is distinct from the separate, unchanged GPT-5.6 Sol used for Codex and Work. Plus and Pro users are also getting a thinking slider to adjust how much reasoning the model applies, tunable based on a query’s complexity and the number of steps involved.

OpenAI said an internal evaluation found that, compared with GPT-5.5-Instant, factual errors were 62% less common for GPT-5.6 Luna and 68% less common for GPT-5.6 Sol.

The updated GPT-5.6 Sol is available to Plus and Pro users today, while the other changes for Free and Go users are arriving this week. Unlimited text chats and the new Think button for harder questions are set to reach users next week.

Why it matters

Removing usage caps for free users pushes ChatGPT further ahead on accessibility just as rivals compete for daily-use habits, while the internal error-rate claims signal OpenAI is leaning on accuracy, not just capability, as a selling point for its next model generation.