> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.docdiagram.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Credits

> How DocDiagram charges for generation.

<Frame caption="Generation costs credits; exports and re-exports are free forever">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/docdiagram/41jLckNKrw3Njatp/images/diagrams/credits-light.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=41jLckNKrw3Njatp&q=85&s=bcd6f0eab6a80c17fbc2877a5e274f31" alt="3 free credits, generation costs 1, exports are free" className="block dark:hidden" width="820" height="320" data-path="images/diagrams/credits-light.svg" />

  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/docdiagram/41jLckNKrw3Njatp/images/diagrams/credits-dark.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=41jLckNKrw3Njatp&q=85&s=629c2341c575bd9a0249a1aff740aa86" alt="3 free credits, generation costs 1, exports are free" className="hidden dark:block" width="820" height="320" data-path="images/diagrams/credits-dark.svg" />
</Frame>

DocDiagram uses a credit system. Each diagram generation or iteration consumes credits from your account balance.

## How credits are spent

* **A diagram typically costs 1–2 credits.** The exact charge is the actual compute cost rounded to the nearest 0.01 credit, so a simple diagram is cheaper than a complex one.
* **Refinement turns are billed the same way** — by compute, not by a flat per-turn fee. Iterations are usually cheaper than the original generation.
* **Failed generations are silently refunded.** You only pay for diagrams you got back.
* **Exports are free.** Once a diagram is generated, you can export it as many times and in as many formats as you want at no cost.
* **Browsing templates is free.** Opening a template doesn't cost anything; editing it does.

Credits are not a 1:1 dollar unit. See the [pricing page](https://docdiagram.com/pricing) for the current credit-to-dollar rate.

## Free credits

Every new visitor starts with **3 free credits**, no card required. That's enough to try the product end-to-end:

1. Generate a diagram.
2. Iterate once.
3. Generate something else.

## Buying more

When you run out, you can top up from your account page. Pricing is on the [pricing page](https://docdiagram.com/pricing).

## Where to check your balance

Your current credit balance is shown in the top-right of the app at all times.

## Coming soon

* **Team billing** — pooled credits across a workspace.
* **Subscription plans** — monthly allowances for heavy users.

## Next

<Card title="API & SDKs" icon="code" href="/api-reference/coming-soon">
  What's coming for programmatic access.
</Card>