> ## 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 Pinsearch credits work

> Understand what credits are, where to see them, and how they are used.

Credits are the units Pinsearch uses for AI creation work.

Research tools such as Keyword Finder, Pin Explorer, and Profile Explorer require active access, but they do not spend credits for normal research actions. Credits are mainly used when Pinsearch creates larger AI outputs.

## Where to see your credits

Open **Settings** and select **Credits & Usage**.

This tab shows:

* **Total Received:** Credits added through trial, plan, lifetime, or packs.
* **Credits Used:** Credits already spent on AI generation.
* **Available Balance:** Credits ready to spend now.
* **Next refill:** The next scheduled subscription refill, when your plan has one.
* **Recent credit activity:** Recent credit additions, usage, and refunds.
* **Top up credits:** Available credit pack options.

The sidebar can also show your plan name and current credit balance.

## What uses credits

| 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 |

You still need active Pinsearch access to use the creation tools, even when the specific action is free.

## Subscription credits and purchased credits

Pinsearch keeps credit balances in two practical groups:

* **Subscription credits:** Credits included with a free trial or recurring subscription.
* **Purchased credits:** Credits from lifetime starter credits or credit packs.

When you spend credits, Pinsearch uses subscription credits first. If the action needs more than your subscription balance, it uses purchased credits after that.

## Why this matters

Subscription credits can roll over only up to your plan's bank limit. Purchased credits sit outside that rollover cap and stay on your account until used.

This means a credit pack can give you extra room without replacing your monthly plan credits.

## If you do not have enough credits

You can:

* Reduce the number of uploaded images.
* Reduce the **No. of Items in Listicle** for topic-based articles.
* Wait for your next subscription refill.
* Buy a credit pack from **Settings** > **Credits & Usage**.
* Change to a plan with more monthly credits.

## If credits look wrong

Check **Recent credit activity** in **Settings** > **Credits & Usage**.

Look for recent items such as generation usage, subscription refills, credit pack additions, lifetime credits, or refunds.

<Note>
  If the balance still looks wrong after refreshing Pinsearch, contact support with the approximate time and the action you were taking.
</Note>

## Related guides

* [How credits are used by AI creation tools](/pinsearch-product-guides/ai-creation-tools/credits-used-by-ai-creation-tools)
* [Monthly credits, rollover, and scheduled refills](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/monthly-credits-rollover-and-scheduled-refills)
* [Top up with credit packs](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/top-up-with-credit-packs)
* [Credit refunds for failed AI generation](/pinsearch-product-guides/billing-credits-and-access/credit-refunds-for-failed-ai-generation)