In early August, OpenAI revealed the GPT-5 enhancement for ChatGPT with an ambitious strategy — GPT-5 would take the place of all previous models and autonomously determine when to reason and when to employ specific tools, although OpenAI allowed users the option to manually choose GPT-5 Thinking modes from the menu. This strategy didn’t go as planned, leading OpenAI to reintroduce legacy models for premium ChatGPT users. The company appears to be continuously refining the GPT-5 experience, having announced modifications to the GPT-5 Thinking models — users can now control the reasoning speed for ChatGPT. GPT-5 previously featured two Thinking modes: the standard “Thinking” mode and the “Thinking mini” variant.
With the latest update, desktop ChatGPT users can now personalize the duration GPT-5 takes to formulate responses. “We’ve received your feedback that GPT-5 Thinking can sometimes take longer than desired. Now Plus, Pro, and Business users can adjust the pace to suit the occasion,” OpenAI stated on X, sharing a video demonstrating the new GPT-5 setting. The updated thinking speeds are available exclusively to premium users, even though GPT-5 is accessible for all accounts, albeit with restrictions.
How to adjust GPT-5 Thinking speed in ChatGPT
GPT-5 Thinking includes the following reasoning speeds:
– ChatGPT Plus and Business: Standard and Extended modes
– ChatGPT Pro: Light, Standard, Extended, and Heavy modes
The new Standard mode serves as the default experience for all accounts, while the Extended mode was the previous default for ChatGPT Plus users. Thus, ChatGPT Plus subscribers must select Extended thinking to revert to the chatbot’s earlier thinking speed. Users subscribing to the highest-tier plan also gain access to a more profound thinking mode — Heavy — and a significantly swifter one — Light. The exact comparison between the Light thinking mode and the GPT-5 Thinking mini model, which is reported to be quicker than the standard Thinking model, remains unclear.
To modify the reasoning speed in your interactions, adhere to these steps:
1. Open ChatGPT in your browser.
2. Initiate a conversation and choose GPT-5 Thinking from the model picker menu in the top-left corner.
3. Select the thinking speed from a new dropdown menu that appears within the prompt composer area.
GPT-5 Thinking performance elucidated
Once a reasoning speed is set for ChatGPT, the AI will apply that preference for all discussions until a change is made. However, current web settings do not carry over to the ChatGPT mobile app. OpenAI stated in a support document that the thinking speed control will be integrated into the iPhone and Android applications in the upcoming weeks.
The same support document describes how GPT-5 Thinking responses will vary based on the speed selected:
– Light and Standard: faster replies that still involve reasoning while balancing speed and accuracy.
– Extended and Heavy: take additional time to deliver more in-depth, comprehensive responses when the stakes increase or the inquiry is more challenging.
To put it another way, users who are willing to wait a little longer might opt for the Extended and Heavy modes for specific tasks. The document also highlights that OpenAI has recently enhanced ChatGPT’s online search functionalities. The chatbot is expected to be more accurate while identifying shopping intent to showcase products more effectively.
