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How do I cancel OpenAI API?
1 min Self-serve No fee To cancel
Short answer
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.
Opens platform.openai.com. We are not affiliated with OpenAI API and never handle your login.
What you are cancelling
OpenAI Platform API billing for model usage on platform.openai.com. This is not ChatGPT Plus, Go, Pro or Business. This guide covers every place the subscription can live - the website and team plans - plus what happens to refunds, pausing and your data afterwards.
Step-by-step instructions
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.
Purchased credits expire after one year and are not refunded. Cancel plan does not refund usage already accrued in the current month.
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.
Tick a step to keep your place - nothing is stored. Tap a step to tick it off - nothing is stored.
Alternatives
Where people go after OpenAI API
OpenAI API has no fixed list price to compare against - these are the tools people move to, each with a verified cancellation guide.
No one pays for a spot here - the cheapest option simply goes first, the Switch button goes straight to the provider, and every card links to our own verified guide.
Not cancelling today? Put it in your calendar.
Tell us when OpenAI API renews and download a calendar reminder that lands two days before, with this guide and the direct cancellation page inside. Nothing is stored - the file is yours.
Refunds, downgrades, pausing and your data
Four questions people ask before they cancelCan I get my money back?
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.
Is there a cheaper way to stay?
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.
Can I pause instead of cancel?
No pause option is documented. Turning Auto recharge off stops new automatic credit purchases. Existing credits remain until used or expired.
What happens to my 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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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Manually verified on 17 Aug 2026, based on official documentation. If OpenAI API changed something, telling us takes one click - a human re-checks every report.