Your Guide to Adobes New Generative AI Credit System
Adobe has recently rolled out significant changes to its Generative AI credit system, a shift that directly impacts users of its flagship products, Photoshop and Lightroom. If you frequently rely on AI-powered features in your creative workflow, understanding these new rules is crucial. The number of credits you receive can vary dramatically depending on your subscription plan and its start date.
Which AI Tools Use Credits
A helpful video breakdown from Mickey Pullen with Eastern Shore Photo Instruction clarifies exactly what Adobe is currently charging for and what remains free. As of now, powerful features like Generative Remove in both Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as the new Upscale tool in Photoshop, do not consume any of your monthly credits.
However, it's important to note that this could change following major announcements, such as those at Adobe Max. For the time being, the tools that will deplete your credit balance include Generative Fill, Expand, and Background creation. Each time you use one of these tools to generate an image, it costs one credit. Importantly, each subsequent regeneration also counts as an additional one-credit charge.
How Many Credits Do You Get
The new system creates a confusing landscape for users, as credit allocation differs based on subscription timing. If you subscribed to the Creative Cloud Photography or Lightroom plan before June 17, 2025, you are allocated a generous 100 credits per month. However, if you sign up after that date, your monthly allowance drops to just 25 credits. Some very early adopters may even find themselves with 250 credits each month.
A key limitation for most users is that these credits do not roll over to the next month if they go unused; only higher-tier Pro plans have that benefit. This policy encourages users to be more strategic with their edits to make the most of their monthly allowance. The video guide also provides a useful tutorial on how to check your current credit balance and clarifies that these Generative AI credits are entirely separate from Adobe Stock credits.
Practical Tips and Workarounds
The side-by-side comparison in the video is particularly effective at demonstrating the credit system in action. You can see how using the standard Remove tool in Photoshop has no effect on your credit balance, but switching to Generative Fill results in an immediate deduction.
While Generative Remove in Lightroom is currently free, the walkthrough also offers a clever workaround for expanding a canvas without spending credits. This technique is best suited for images intended for online sharing, as it isn't a high-resolution solution, but it provides a practical method for adding extra space around your subject when you're running low on credits. For a complete visual guide, be sure to check out the full video from Pullen.
