Security
Monthly Budget in OpenAI
To safeguard your OpenAI account from unauthorized usage or excessive costs, it is highly recommended to set a monthly budget limit. This helps prevent abuse and ensures you stay within a manageable spending range.
Why Set a Monthly Budget?
- Prevent Abuse: Protect your OpenAI API key from unauthorized or excessive usage.
- Control Costs: Avoid unexpected charges by capping the monthly budget.
- Ensure Predictability: Maintain a predictable cost structure for your projects.
Step-by-Step Guide to Set a Monthly Budget in OpenAI
1. Log In to Your OpenAI Account
- Go to OpenAI and log in with your account credentials.
2. Navigate to Project Settings
- From the dashboard, select the project for which you want to set a budget.
- Click on Settings in the left-hand menu.
3. Open the Usage and Limits Section
- In the settings menu, navigate to the Usage or Limits section.
4. Set a Monthly Budget
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Look for the Monthly Budget or Spending Limit option.
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Enter a reasonable monthly budget based on your expected usage.
Recommendation:
- If you are testing or starting small, set a low budget (e.g., $50–$100).
- For production use, estimate the expected number of API calls and set a budget accordingly.
5. Save Changes
- After entering the desired monthly budget, click Save or Update to apply the changes.
Additional Tips
- Enable Notifications: Set up notifications to alert you when you approach or exceed your monthly budget.
- Monitor Usage: Regularly review your usage statistics on the dashboard to stay informed.
- Upgrade Plan: As your project scales, adjust the budget to match your growing needs while keeping usage under control.
By setting a monthly budget in your OpenAI account, you ensure your costs remain predictable and your API key stays secure.