Is DALL-E 3 Restricted for Free Tier Users on the OpenAI API?

Below is some clarification based on current documentation and observations:

Free Tier vs. Paid Tier Limits

• Documentation for Free Tier:
  The published rate limit table for free tier users specifies that the DALL‑E 3 endpoint is allowed at a rate of 1 image per minute. This is different from limits applied to text-based endpoints or even DALL‑E 2 (which is currently listed as 5 images per minute).

• Your Observation:
  You mentioned expecting 3 RPM, which may be a mix‑up with another endpoint’s limit rather than that for DALL‑E 3. The error message referencing a “Limit: 0/1min” matches the 1 image per minute rate currently assigned to free tier accounts.

What Might Be Happening

• Rate Limit Error Explained:
  The error message,

  "Rate limit exceeded for images per minute in organization org-[ORG ID]. Limit: 0/1min. Current: 1/1min. ..."
  

  indicates that within the current minute your organization has already made the allowed 1 request. If you’re consistently receiving this message—even after waiting and generating new API keys—it suggests that there is an enforced limit on the free tier for DALL‑E 3.

• Community Reports:
  You and others have observed issues lasting for several weeks, and users have noted that depositing funds (even as little as $5) upgrades the image rate (e.g., to 5 images per minute for Tier 1). This aligns with the documented progression where higher tiers receive increased usage limits.

Is DALL‑E 3 Disabled for Free Tier Users?

There is no official announcement stating outright that DALL‑E 3 is disabled for free tier users. However, the effective behavior you’re experiencing—persistent rate limit errors despite proper spacing of requests—suggests that:

• The free tier’s current configuration may be too constrained (set at 1 image per minute) to allow for what you expect.
• Alternatively, there may be temporary or policy‑driven adjustments in effect that further limit DALL‑E 3 access for free tier users.

Next Steps

• Verify Limits:
  Double‑check your account’s rate limits under the limits section to confirm what is currently assigned to your organization.

• Upgrade Consideration:
  As reported by other users, upgrading by depositing funds appears to unlock a higher image generation rate (e.g., Tier 1 shows 5 images per minute). If DALL‑E 3 is crucial for your projects and you need a reliable service, upgrading might solve the issue.

• Support & Updates:
  For the most recent and detailed information, consult the rate limit guide or reach out to OpenAI support. This will help clarify if there has been a policy change specifically affecting free tier access to DALL‑E 3.

I hope this helps clarify the situation. Let me know if you need further details about rate limits or upgrading your plan.