OpenAI Codex usage limits explained
OpenAI does not publish a fixed Codex allowance; it gives estimates. Its Codex pricing page says: "These estimates are not fixed message limits; check your usage dashboard for current limits and reset times".
ChatGPT plans (checked 2026-10-18): Free $0/month (no limit stated on the pricing page); Go $8/month (no limit stated on the pricing page); Plus $20/month ("Est. local messages per 5h: GPT-6.1 Sol 15-160"); Pro $100/month ("Pro plans currently have no five-hour limit").
Claude Code vs Codex →ChatGPT plans and what OpenAI says about Codex limits
Every ChatGPT plan on the Codex pricing page, with the vendor wording quoted verbatim.
OpenAI Codex (ChatGPT plans)
These estimates are not fixed message limits; check your usage dashboard for current limits and reset times.source
| Plan | Price | What the vendor says about limits | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0per month | unknown — not stated on the pricing page | limit not published |
| Go | $8per month | unknown — not stated on the pricing page | limit not published |
| Plus | $20per month | Est. local messages per 5h: GPT-6.1 Sol 15-160source |
price verified |
| Pro | $100per month · Plans at $100, $200, or $500 USD per month | Pro plans currently have no five-hour limit.source |
price verified |
| Business | $20per user, annual · $25 per user per month when billed monthly | unknown — not stated on the pricing page | limit not published |
How the five-hour and weekly windows work
Depending on your plan, usage limits may apply over a five-hour window and a weekly window. Where both apply, you need allowance remaining in both to continue
help.openai.comA new window starts when you send your first message in Work or Codex after the previous window ends
help.openai.comYou may reach the five-hour limit before five hours have passed, even if you still have weekly usage remaining
help.openai.comCheck Settings → Usage for your current allowance and reset times
help.openai.comPro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 currently have no five-hour usage limit in Work and Codex. Your plan still has an included usage allowance
help.openai.com
What to do when you hit the limit
If you reach a limit, check Settings → Usage to see which limit you’ve reached and when it resets. Depending on your account, you may be able to wait for the reset, use a saved reset, or continue with eligible credits
help.openai.comSwitching models does not restore allowance in a shared usage pool
help.openai.comA completed purchase immediately restores both 5-hour and weekly usage. It pulls your normal weekly allowance forward rather than adding a separate usage entitlement
help.openai.comIt is not available on Free, Go, Business, Enterprise, or Edu plans
help.openai.com
Compare Codex with other tools
FAQ
Straight answers from today's data (2026-10-18) and the vendor's own help pages.
What are the OpenAI Codex usage limits?
OpenAI does not publish a fixed Codex allowance; it gives estimates. Its Codex pricing page says: "These estimates are not fixed message limits; check your usage dashboard for current limits and reset times". ChatGPT plans (checked 2026-10-18): Free $0/month (no limit stated on the pricing page); Go $8/month (no limit stated on the pricing page); Plus $20/month ("Est. local messages per 5h: GPT-6.1 Sol 15-160"); Pro $100/month ("Pro plans currently have no five-hour limit"). "Depending on your plan, usage limits may apply over a five-hour window and a weekly window. Where both apply, you need allowance remaining in both to continue" (help.openai.com).
When does the Codex usage limit reset?
"A new window starts when you send your first message in Work or Codex after the previous window ends" (help.openai.com). "You may reach the five-hour limit before five hours have passed, even if you still have weekly usage remaining" (help.openai.com). "Check Settings → Usage for your current allowance and reset times" (help.openai.com).
Does ChatGPT Pro have a five-hour limit in Codex?
"Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 currently have no five-hour usage limit in Work and Codex. Your plan still has an included usage allowance" (help.openai.com). On the Codex pricing page (checked 2026-10-18): Pro $100/month (Plans at $100, $200, or $500 USD per month), "Pro plans currently have no five-hour limit".
ChatGPT Plus vs Pro for Codex: what is the difference?
Plus is $20/month ("Est. local messages per 5h: GPT-6.1 Sol 15-160"); Pro starts at $100/month (Plans at $100, $200, or $500 USD per month) ("Pro plans currently have no five-hour limit"). "These ranges are estimates, not guaranteed message counts" (help.openai.com).
Can I reset my Codex limit early?
Eligible personal Plus and Pro accounts can buy an instant reset: "A completed purchase immediately restores both 5-hour and weekly usage. It pulls your normal weekly allowance forward rather than adding a separate usage entitlement" (help.openai.com). "It is not available on Free, Go, Business, Enterprise, or Edu plans" (help.openai.com).
What Codex limits do the cheaper ChatGPT plans have?
Free ($0), Go ($8): no limit figure is stated on the Codex pricing page (checked 2026-10-18).
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