# How to cancel OpenAI API

Stop OpenAI API billing from Billing Overview on platform.openai.com: click Cancel plan for monthly billing, and turn Auto recharge off for prepaid credits. It takes about a minute; a final invoice can still cover current-month usage. Purchased credits expire after one year and are non-refundable.

OpenAI Platform API billing for model usage on platform.openai.com. This is not ChatGPT Plus, Go, Pro or Business.

- Category: Developer infrastructure
- Entry plan: Prepaid billing at Usage-based
- Billed via: web
- Difficulty: Easy (2.0 / 10 on the Cancellation Difficulty Index), takes about 1 minute
- Direct cancellation page: https://platform.openai.com/account/billing/overview
- Manually verified on 17 Aug 2026 against official sources
- Canonical guide: https://canicancelit.com/cancel/openai-api

## Cancel in a web browser

> This is Platform API billing only. ChatGPT consumer plans have a separate guide.

1. **Open Billing Overview** Go to platform.openai.com/account/billing/overview while signed in as an owner of the API organization.
2. **Click Cancel plan if monthly billing is shown** OpenAI documents cancelling the API pay-as-you-go service with Cancel plan. You still receive a final invoice for usage in the current billing month. After that invoice the saved payment method is no longer charged, and API access is paused unless you re-add a payment method.
3. **Turn Auto recharge off for prepaid credits** New accounts use prepaid credits. Auto recharge is on by default during setup. Turn it off if you do not want automatic top-ups.
4. **Optionally remove the payment method** In the API organization's settings, open Billing, then Payment methods, and remove the card. Removing the only valid payment method while paid services are active can suspend or restrict those services.

> **Warning:** Purchased credits expire after one year and are not refunded. Cancel plan does not refund usage already accrued in the current month.

## Cancel a team plan

1. **Keep this separate from ChatGPT subscriptions** API billing lives on the organization's platform.openai.com Billing pages. Cancelling ChatGPT Plus, Go, Pro or Business on chatgpt.com does not stop API prepaid credits or Auto recharge.

## Refunds, pausing, downgrades and your data

- **Refunds:** Purchased API credits expire after one year and are non-refundable except where required by law. Cancelling monthly billing does not refund usage already accrued in the current month. A disputed or refunded payment removes an equivalent credit amount.
- **Pausing:** No pause option is documented. Turning Auto recharge off stops new automatic credit purchases. Existing credits remain until used or expired.
- **Downgrading:** There is no cheaper named API seat plan. After Cancel plan you keep a free platform account and API access is paused unless you re-add a payment method. Prepaid leftover credits stay until they expire.
- **Account data:** Cancel plan does not delete organization data. Deleting an API key only revokes that key. Deleting the OpenAI account is a separate, permanent action and prevents access to ChatGPT and the API.

## At a glance

- Cancellation fee: None documented
- Refund window: Credits non-refundable (except where required by law)
- Effective: After the final current-month invoice
- Free plan after: Platform access remains; API paused without payment

## FAQ

**Is this the same as cancelling ChatGPT Plus?**

No. ChatGPT subscriptions are cancelled on chatgpt.com or through Apple or Google. This guide is only for platform.openai.com API billing.

**What happens after I click Cancel plan?**

You still get a final invoice for usage in the current billing month. After that invoice the saved card is no longer charged. API access is paused unless you re-add a payment method.

**How do I stop prepaid auto top-ups?**

Turn Auto recharge off on the billing page. It is on by default during prepaid setup.

**Can I get unused API credits refunded?**

No, except where law requires it. Purchased credits expire after one year and are non-refundable.

**Does deleting an API key cancel billing?**

No. Deleting a key only stops that key from working. Auto recharge or monthly billing continues until you change billing settings.

## Official sources

- [How can I stop my API subscription?](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8156175-how-can-i-stop-my-api-subscription) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [How can I set up prepaid billing?](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8264644-how-can-i-set-up-prepaid-billing) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [What is prepaid billing?](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8264778-what-is-prepaid-billing) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [Service credit terms](https://openai.com/policies/service-credit-terms/) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [OpenAI API Pricing](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [How can I delete or remove my payment method?](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/12362718-how-can-i-delete-or-remove-my-payment-method) (checked 2026-08-17)
- [How to delete your account](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6378407-how-to-delete-your-account) (checked 2026-08-17)

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Verified cancellation guide from Can I Cancel It? (https://canicancelit.com). JSON version: https://canicancelit.com/cancel/openai-api.json