Codex usage limit reached? How to check usage, what to do

Codex usage limit reached: how to check usage and what to do

Updated 2026-10-18. From OpenAI's Codex pricing page and help center.

Quick answer

Codex says usage limit reached when you use up your plan's 5-hour or weekly allowance. Check what is left in the Codex usage dashboard (chatgpt.com/codex/settings/usage) or type /status in the Codex CLI. A turn already running can finish. To keep going, buy credits (Plus and Pro), run local chats with an API key at API rates, wait for the reset, or move to Pro, which currently has no five-hour limit.

Model	Messages / 5h (Plus)
GPT-6 Astra	5-45
GPT-6.1 Sol	15-160
GPT-6 Sol	15-150
GPT-6 Luna	350-3,000

OpenAI estimates for Plus and Standard Business, from the Codex pricing page. Not fixed limits; cloud tasks can use more.

How to check your Codex usage

Usage dashboard: chatgpt.com/codex/settings/usage shows your current limits and reset times.
In the CLI: type /status during a Codex CLI session to see your remaining limits.

What happens when you hit the limit

If you hit it during an active turn, the agent can finish that turn, subject to fair use limits.
Plus and Pro: buy additional credits to keep working without upgrading.
Business, Edu and Enterprise with flexible pricing: buy workspace credits.
Anyone: run extra local chats with an API key, billed at standard API rates.
Or wait: Plus and Business have a 5-hour window plus weekly limits; Pro plans currently have only weekly limits.

Why it runs out faster than expected

Speed modes: Fast uses included limits at 2.5x and Ultrafast at 8x the Standard rate.
Images: image generation uses included limits about 3 to 5x faster than similar turns.
Shared pool: local messages, cloud tasks and ChatGPT Work share one allowance, and so does ChatGPT for Excel on Plus and Pro.
Context: big AGENTS.md files, many MCP servers and long source material all add tokens to every message.

Make it last longer

OpenAI's tips: keep prompts tight, give only the relevant files, define the output you need, nest smaller AGENTS.md files, disable MCP servers you are not using, and pick a smaller model when it is good enough.

Banked reset: Oct 7 banked full reset expires (about 30 days after grant), about 2026-11-06 (estimate). Your exact expiry shows in Settings > Usage. Live countdown on when does Codex reset.

Sources

FAQ

Why does Codex say usage limit reached?

You used your plan's included 5-hour or weekly allowance. Plus and Business have both windows; Pro plans currently have only weekly limits.

How do I check my Codex usage?

Open the usage dashboard at chatgpt.com/codex/settings/usage, or type /status in an active Codex CLI session.

How many Codex messages do I get on Plus?

OpenAI estimates 15 to 160 local GPT-6.1 Sol messages per 5 hours on Plus (5 to 45 on GPT-6 Astra, 350 to 3,000 on GPT-6 Luna). These are estimates, not fixed limits.

Can I keep using Codex after hitting the limit?

Yes. Plus and Pro users can buy credits, and anyone can run local chats with an API key at standard API rates. A turn already in progress can finish.

Does Ultrafast mode use more of my limit?

Yes. Fast uses included limits at 2.5x and Ultrafast at 8x the Standard rate for the same model.

When does the Codex limit reset?

The 5-hour window rolls; weekly limits reset weekly. Your exact reset times are in the usage dashboard. OpenAI staff also post occasional global resets, which we track live.