OpenAI is reimposing a five-hour usage ceiling for Codex and ChatGPT Work for its ChatGPT Plus users. This rule returns August 25, after being temporarily lifted in favor of a weekly usage cap only. Alongside the time cap, the weekly limit remains in effect. When either limit is reached, Plus users can wait for a reset in the new cycle or acquire extra credits. OpenAI sometimes offers free resets and banked resets via promotions and referrals. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/24/openai-restores-5-hour-codex-and-work-limits-for-chatgpt-plus-users/))
What was changed—and why it matters
For the past several weeks, the five-hour restriction was suspended for ChatGPT Work and Codex, leaving users bound only by a weekly usage amount. During that period, OpenAI also made early resets to weekly limits in celebration of milestones, including growth in active users across both platforms—now unified. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/24/openai-restores-5-hour-codex-and-work-limits-for-chatgpt-plus-users/))
The reinstated five-hour cap serves two purposes. First, the company aims to distribute its computational load more evenly, allowing the plan to remain generous with weekly allowances. Second, OpenAI believes many Plus users—especially more casual or new ones—sometimes use up their full allotment too fast, leading to confusion and a subpar experience. Pro-level plans priced at $100 and $200 will continue to be exempt from the five-hour limit. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/24/openai-restores-5-hour-codex-and-work-limits-for-chatgpt-plus-users/))
No changes have been announced yet for Enterprise or Education accounts, which rely on a separate credit-based usage system. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/24/openai-restores-5-hour-codex-and-work-limits-for-chatgpt-plus-users/))
What this means for users
Plus subscribers will need to track their active hours more carefully now that usage beyond five hours won’t be allowed without paying extra or waiting. Users benefiting from free resets or credit-boosts through promotions should verify those options. Pro plan members and those on enterprise or education tiers aren’t immediately affected.
This move reflects OpenAI’s ongoing balancing act between offering generous access and managing resource constraints. Particularly as AI tools continue drawing heavy usage, controlling consumption while preserving user satisfaction is likely to remain a priority.
