> Creatomate AI reference — topic page "Credits & cheap test renders"; the index of all pages is https://creatomate.com/llms.txt ## Credits & cheap test renders - **Image = 1 credit**, flat, any resolution. - **Video** = `width × height × frame_rate × duration(s) ÷ 100,000,000`, rounded up. Examples: 1280×720 at 25 fps ≈ 13.8 credits/min; 1080×1920 at 30 fps ≈ 37.3 credits/min. - **Auto-subtitles**: 10 credits/min, charged only where that exceeds the render's own cost — effectively free at 720p and above. - **Free plan**: output is clamped so both dimensions are ≤ 480 px — preview resolution. Full resolution needs a paid plan. This answers "why is my render low-res". - The credit estimate for a template is shown in the editor under **Single Export**; usage lives in the dashboard under **API Log**. **Cheap-testing ladder — never render just to find out:** 1. The editor preview is free (client-side). 2. Still-frame check: render as **image** with `snapshot_time` → 1 credit. 3. Draft videos: `render_scale: 0.5` (≈ quarter credits) and/or a lower `frame_rate`. 4. Full quality last, when the design is confirmed.