> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pinsearch.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How credits are used by AI creation tools

> Understand which Pinsearch creation actions use credits and which are free.

Credits are used when Pinsearch creates larger AI outputs, such as article drafts and regenerated article images.

Pinsearch shows the credit estimate before you start a credit-using action, so you can decide before generating.

## Credit costs

| Action                                                  | Credit cost                 |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Generate Pin titles and descriptions                    | Free                        |
| Create an article from uploaded images                  | 1 credit per image          |
| Create an article from a topic or keyword               | 2 credits per listicle item |
| Regenerate an article image                             | 2 credits                   |
| Regenerate article text or descriptions where available | Free                        |

## Pin title and description generation

Writing Pin titles and descriptions does not use credits.

You still need active Pinsearch access, but the action itself is free.

## Image-based articles

Image-based article generation uses **1 credit per uploaded image**.

Examples:

* 8 uploaded images use 8 credits.
* 20 uploaded images use 20 credits.
* 40 uploaded images use 40 credits.

## Topic-to-article generation

Topic-to-article generation uses **2 credits per listicle item**.

Examples:

* 5 items use 10 credits.
* 12 items use 24 credits.
* 25 items use 50 credits.

## Image regeneration

Regenerating an AI-generated article image uses **2 credits**.

Pinsearch may ask you to save the article before regenerating an image. This helps keep the editor and image version in sync.

## Failed or incomplete generations

If the request fails because of invalid input, missing access, or not enough credits, Pinsearch does not charge credits.

If credits are deducted and the full generation fails, Pinsearch tries to refund the credits automatically.

If an article is created but some items or images could not be completed, Pinsearch may create a partial article and refund the failed items.

<Note>
  If you see a refund warning or think credits were charged incorrectly, contact support with the article topic and the time the issue happened.
</Note>

## Related guides

* [Create articles from uploaded images](/pinsearch-product-guides/ai-creation-tools/create-articles-from-uploaded-images)
* [Create articles from a topic or keyword](/pinsearch-product-guides/ai-creation-tools/create-articles-from-topic-or-keyword)
* [Regenerate an article image](/pinsearch-product-guides/article-editor-and-publishing/regenerate-an-article-image)
* [How Pinsearch credits work](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/how-pinsearch-credits-work)
* [Credit refunds for failed AI generation](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/credit-refunds-for-failed-ai-generation)