Does GPT Image 2 Support Transparent Backgrounds?

The short verdict

• Yes for some supported GPT Image workflows: GPT Image documentation says transparent backgrounds can be requested for formats that support transparency, naming PNG and WEBP. ^[2]
• Not proven as a blanket GPT Image 2 feature: The cited OpenAI API material describes image generation and edits, but it does not explicitly confirm transparent-background support for a model named GPT Image 2. ^[1]
• Highest-confidence path: Use text-to-image generation, choose PNG or WEBP output, request transparency, and inspect the result before treating it as transparent. ^[2][3][6][7]

What is actually documented

The strongest positive evidence comes from GPT Image documentation that says transparent backgrounds can be requested when the output format supports transparency, specifically PNG and WEBP. ^[2] A separate GPT Image node implementation also exposes a transparent-background option, but its documentation says that option is only supported when generating images from text without using images. ^[3]

That distinction matters. The OpenAI API image-generation guide separates generations, which create images from a text prompt, from edits, which modify existing images. ^[1] The sources here do not show an official OpenAI statement that a model specifically named GPT Image 2 supports transparent backgrounds in every one of those modes. ^[1][9]

The GPT Image 2-specific source in this evidence set is a third-party explainer, and its snippet frames GPT Image 2 API access in future-oriented language. ^[9] That makes it useful context, but not a reliable official guarantee for transparent-background support in current GPT Image 2 API workflows. ^[9]

Best-supported workflow for transparent output

If you need transparent assets, the safest workflow supported by the available documentation is:

1. Generate from text rather than from an input image. The clearest implementation note says transparency is only supported when generating images from text without using images. ^[3]
2. Use PNG or WEBP output. Those are the formats named in GPT Image documentation as supporting transparent-background requests. ^[2]
3. Request a transparent background through the supported option or parameter in your workflow. The documentation evidence supports transparency as an explicit request, not just a prompt phrase. ^[2][3]
4. Inspect the returned file. Developer reports describe cases where requested transparent outputs were not actually transparent, as well as background-removal artifacts. ^[6][7]

This is the difference between exposing transparency as a feature and shipping it as a dependable product experience: the user-facing promise should depend on the workflow and the actual returned asset, not only on the prompt. ^[3][6][7]

Workflows that need extra caution

Edits and reference-image workflows

The evidence is weaker for image edits and workflows that use an input or reference image. The API guide distinguishes edits from generations, while the Fuser GPT Image documentation limits its transparent option to text-only generation. ^[1][3] OpenAI Developer Community threads also discuss transparent-background attempts in edit or generate flows, including reports where the final output did not have a transparent background. ^[5][7]

Background removal quality

Transparency is not only a file-format issue. One community report describes a background-removal case where removing the background also affected other white parts of the image. ^[6] That does not prove transparency is unreliable in every case, but it is a good reason to add QA for edge quality, cutout accuracy, and unintended removals. ^[6]

Model-name-specific claims

It is safer to say that transparent-background output is available in supported GPT Image workflows than to say GPT Image 2 always supports transparent backgrounds. The strongest transparency evidence refers to GPT Image model workflows and implementation docs, while the GPT Image 2-specific source here is not an official API confirmation. ^[2][3][9]

Recommended product wording

For a product page, settings panel, or API wrapper, avoid absolute claims. A safer version is:

Transparent-background output is available for supported GPT Image PNG or WEBP text-to-image workflows. Results may vary for edits, reference images, and specific model or API configurations, so outputs should be verified before final use. ^[2][3][5][7]

That wording preserves the useful capability without promising behavior the evidence does not establish. ^[1][2][3][9]

Bottom line

Transparent backgrounds appear to be a real capability in parts of the GPT Image ecosystem, with the strongest support for PNG or WEBP text-to-image workflows. ^[2][3] The current evidence is not strong enough to present GPT Image 2 as universally supporting transparent-background output across edits, image inputs, and every API configuration, so production apps should expose the feature conditionally and verify the returned file. ^{[1][5][6][7][9]}