OpenAI Brings Back 5-Hour Codex Limit for ChatGPT Plus

OpenAI has reintroduced a five-hour Codex usage limit for ChatGPT Plus subscribers, ending a temporary period when only the weekly quota applied. The change was announced by OpenAI engineering lead Thibault "Tibo" Sottiaux on X after the company temporarily removed the five-hour restriction in July. The five-hour window aims to distribute computing demand more evenly while maintaining a generous weekly allowance.

However, some newer Plus subscribers were unintentionally using up their entire weekly allowance in a single session, causing confusion when the tools became unavailable. The five-hour restriction works alongside the weekly quota, and once either allowance is exhausted, the user must wait for the reset or purchase additional credits to continue using Codex.

OpenAI has disabled the five-hour restriction for the upcoming months for users on the $100 and $200 tiers, while Enterprise and Edu accounts remain unaffected. Developers working on demanding projects should be aware that the restored five-hour window reduces flexibility, as the AI coding tools can consume significant computing resources.

It is essential for Plus subscribers to monitor both their five-hour and weekly allowances to manage usage effectively.