Understanding AI Credits in Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate uses an AI credit system to meter usage of its premium AI capabilities. These credits are consumed whenever you use AI Builder models, prebuilt AI models, or custom AI models in your flows. But how long will 5,000 AI credits actually last you? Let’s break it down.
What Consumes AI Credits?
Several Power Automate features consume AI credits:
- AI Builder models (custom or prebuilt)
- Document processing (invoices, receipts, etc.)
- Text recognition and analysis
- Object detection in images
- Prediction models
- Form processing
Credit Consumption Rates
Here are some common operations and their credit costs:
- Text recognition: 1 credit per page
- Receipt processing: 5 credits per receipt
- Invoice processing: 10 credits per invoice
- Business card reader: 5 credits per card
- Object detection: 10 credits per image
- Custom model prediction: Varies (typically 5-100 credits per transaction)
How Long Will 5,000 Credits Last?
The lifespan of your 5,000 AI credits depends entirely on your usage patterns:
- For light users (processing 10 documents/week):
- ~50 credits/week
- Would last about 100 weeks (nearly 2 years)
- For moderate users (processing 50 invoices/week):
- 500 credits/week
- Would last 10 weeks
- For heavy users (processing 200 images/day with object detection):
- 2,000 credits/day
- Would last just 2.5 days
Tips to Conserve AI Credits
- Optimize your processes – Only use AI where absolutely necessary
- Batch process documents – Some operations have minimum credit charges
- Use simpler models when possible
- Monitor your usage in the Power Platform admin center
- Consider premium plans if you consistently need more capacity
5,000 AI credits in Power Automate could last anywhere from a few days to nearly two years depending on your usage intensity. The key is to understand your specific workflows and monitor your credit consumption regularly to avoid unexpected interruptions in your automation processes.