Whisper rate limits, context window & usage caps (2026)
Rate limits, context window, message limits, file upload caps and image generation limits - all Whisper plans compared.
Whisper usage limits by plan
| Max File Size | 25 MB | Per audio file |
| Supported Formats | mp3, mp4, m4a, wav, webm, flac, ogg formats | |
| Supported Languages | 57 languages | |
| Output Formats | json, text, srt, vtt, verbose_json formats | |
| Timestamps | Yes boolean | Word-level timestamps supported |
What happens when you hit Whisper's limits?
Check the reset window - most limits refresh within 1–60 minutes
Reload or try again after the reset window passes
If you hit limits regularly, upgrade your plan to increase caps
Whisper limit reset schedule
⚡
Per minute
API RPM limits - reset every 60 seconds
🕐
Per hour
Short rolling windows for message quotas
⏱
Per 5 hours
Common for consumer plan message limits
📅
Per day / month
Image gen credits and file storage caps
Exact reset period per limit type is shown in the "Notes" column of the plan table above. Whisper uses rolling-window resets - quotas refresh continuously, not at a fixed midnight cutoff.
More Whisper intelligence
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Limits sourced from OpenAI's official documentation. Updated when plan changes are announced.
Whisper limits - frequently asked questions
What is the Whisper message limit?
Whisper message limits vary by plan - see the full breakdown by tier in the table above.
Does Whisper have a file upload limit?
Yes, Whisper enforces file upload limits that vary by plan. See the detailed breakdown above.
When do Whisper limits reset?
Reset periods vary by limit type - many Whisper limits reset on a rolling window (e.g., per 5 hours or per 24 hours). Check the notes column in the table above for specific reset schedules.
What happens when you hit Whisper's rate limit?
Whisper will temporarily block new requests when you exceed your plan's limits. You may see an in-app message or receive an HTTP 429 response. Wait for the reset window to pass or upgrade your plan.