• 2 min read
Google’s Gemini now meters usage by compute, not prompts
Google has changed Gemini limits to track compute use instead of request counts, with five-hour and weekly caps that vary by plan and model.
Image: Wired
Google has overhauled Gemini usage limits, shifting from simple request counts to a system based on the computing power each prompt consumes. That means users who were used to rules like a fixed number of image or video generations per day may now hit limits sooner if their requests are longer or more complex.
According to Google’s support documentation, Gemini access is now tied to two main variables: your subscription tier and the complexity and length of your prompts. The model you choose matters too. A basic weather request will cost less than asking Gemini to code a mini-app, and faster, more capable models consume more credits.
Google says access can also change based on testing, experimentation, or availability, which means practical limits may vary from day to day.
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Gemini plans and usage limits
In the US, Gemini is available on a free tier and three paid plans:
- AI Plus: $8 a month
- AI Pro: $20 a month
- AI Ultra: $100 or $200 a month
Google does not publish exact limits for free users, describing them only as “standard.” The paid plans scale from there:
- AI Plus: 2x standard limits
- AI Pro: 4x standard limits
- AI Ultra: 5x or 20x higher than AI Pro, depending on the payment level
All users can access Gemini models including Flash-Lite, Flash, and Pro. Moving up the stack gives you smarter models, but they also count more heavily toward your usage. Google also offers different thinking levels — Standard, Extended, and Deep Think — which affect quality, speed, and quota use.
Context windows vary sharply by plan:
- Free: 32K tokens, roughly 24,000 words
- AI Plus: 128K tokens, about 96,000 words
- AI Pro and Ultra: 1 million tokens, about 750,000 words
How to check your Gemini quota
Google now makes quota tracking visible inside the app. On the web, open the cog icon in the lower left, then choose Usage limits. On Android or iOS, tap the menu button in the top left, then the cog, then Usage limits.
You’ll see two bars:
- A current usage bar that resets every five hours
- A weekly limit bar that resets every week
If you exhaust your allowance, Gemini will tell you when the next reset happens. Paid users who hit their cap are dropped to the most basic AI model until the limit refreshes. Google also warns that limits may change without notice because of capacity constraints, and free users may be affected first.
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via Wired
