Key Highlights –
- ChatGPT Projects are now available to both paid and free users alike, announced OpenAI
- New ChatGPT Projects update is also being rolled out, already live on web and Android app, with iOS following soon after.
- The update includes larger file uploads per project, customization options, and more.
OpenAI has just announced that ChatGPT Projects available to free users. The feature made its debut last year in December 2024, available only to Paid subscribers. Similar to digital workspaces, Projects lets users keep all task, or long term goal related chats in one place. Users can then group conversations, upload reference files and even set custom instructions.
Projects in ChatGPT are now available to Free users.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) September 3, 2025
In addition, we’ve added:
– Larger file uploads per project (up to 5 for Free, 25 for Plus, 40 for Pro/Business/Enterprise)
– Option to select colors and icons for more customization
– Project-only memory controls for more… pic.twitter.com/GGygJuBify
ChatGPT Projects feature is widely used for its built-in memory and ability to fetch any detail from chats and saved files within the project.
ChatGPT Projects – Why Use It
Creating a project in ChatGPT is like creating a folder, wherein you can upload files, images, and add custom instructions specific for that project. This helps ChatGPT stay on‑topic and lets users stay organized.
Apart from keeping all data at one place, users also get the liberty to switch devices at their own convenience. You could start on your phone, continue on the web, or vice versa. Projects feature also lets you reuse your project workflow for multi-threaded or recurring tasks like weekly research or content drafts.
A few use cases of using ChatGPT’s Project feature with outlines could be –
- School: “AP Biology study guide,” attach class PDFs, ask for practice questions using study mode.
- Work: “Marketing launch plan,” set the tone to PM/mentor, draft briefs and assets.
- Personal: “Wedding planning,” track vendors, budgets, and timelines.
This feature is available to all free and paid users globally starting September 4, 2025.
How to Use ChatGPT Projects feature?
To get started with your first project using ChatGPT, ensure that you are logged in to your account. Next, locate the ‘New Project’ option in the sidebar. Then, give your project a name and customize icon and colour as appropriate.
Once done, the next step to make your project a success is adding context to it such as PDFs, spreadsheets, docs, or images to give ChatGPT material to reference answers in the project. Then, proceed to add instructions to the projects by clicking on the three dots on upper right hand corner. Here’s an example you can use for reference – “Act like my marketing mentor. Be concise. Use bullet points. Ask clarifying questions.”
Given the not so subtle advantage of using projects – its built in memory, the feature ensure to remember all the chats and files you have created or uploaded so far. Apart from these features, users can also make use of Canvas to draft docs, code or layout; generate images for brainstorming visuals, etc. Few other modes such as study mode or voice mode are also worth checking out if you haven’t already.
You may also be interested to read: OpenAI acquires Statsig, Appoints Vijay Raji As CTO of Applications
Plans and Limits of ChatGPT Project
As such there are no restrictions on the number of projects any user makes. However there are a few limitations for uploading files, based on subscription type. Note that only 10 files can be uploaded at the same time. For free ChatGPT users, only 5 files are allowed per project. For Go, Plus and Education users the limit exceeds to 25 files per project. Lastly, for Pro, Business and Enterprise users, this limit is further pushed back to 40 files per project.
