> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ideogram.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ideogram.ai/get-started/signup-and-registration.md).

# Sign In and Accounts

Ways to sign in, what happens the first time, username rules, and which accounts get free credits.

## Ways to sign in

Go to [ideogram.ai](https://ideogram.ai/) and select **Sign in** or **Get started**. You'll see **Log in or sign up** with these options:

* **Continue with Google**
* **Continue with Apple**
* **Continue with Microsoft**
* **Continue with SSO**, if your company uses single sign-on. Enter your **Work email** and continue. If your company requires SSO, other methods are refused and the SSO option opens with your email filled in.
* **Continue with email**, with an email address and password. The same form signs you in or creates an account, depending on whether the email is new.

When you come back, Ideogram may show only the method you used last. Select **Use another account** to see the rest.

## Free credits

| Sign-in method             | Free credits |
| -------------------------- | ------------ |
| Google, Apple or Microsoft | 30 a week    |
| Email and password         | None         |

With an email account, you'd need to [buy credits](/plans-and-billing/buying-extra-credits.md) or [subscribe](/plans-and-billing/available-plans.md) to generate. If you want to try Ideogram for free first, sign up with Google, Apple or Microsoft.

## Your first sign-in

1. On **Tell us a bit about you.**, enter a **Username**. Ideogram suggests one from the part of your email before the @. You can also add a **Full name (optional)**. Select **Continue**.
2. Under **What best describes you?**, pick any roles that fit and select **Continue**, or select **Skip**.
3. On **Choose a plan that's right for you**, pick a plan or select **Skip for now** to stay on the free plan.

Then you land on Home. The [Quick Start](/quick-start-guide.md) takes it from there.

## Username rules

Your username is your handle on Ideogram. It must:

* be 3 to 16 characters long
* use only letters, numbers and underscores
* not match anyone else's, ignoring upper and lower case
* not contain restricted words

{% hint style="warning" %}
You can't change your username once it's set, and support can't change it either. You can change your display name in [Account Settings](/get-started/account-settings.md).
{% endhint %}

## One account per sign-in method

Each sign-in method makes its own account, even if the email address is the same. You can't link methods, change your email or add a password, and support can't merge accounts made with different methods.

If you see **Account exists with a different sign-in method**, that email already has an account made another way. Sign in with the method you first used. If you can't remember it, try each one, or contact <support@ideogram.ai>.

If you deleted an account, wait 48 hours before you sign up again with the same email.

## Forgot your password

This applies to email accounts only.

1. Enter your email in the sign-in form.
2. Select **Forgot password?**
3. Open the reset link Ideogram sends to your inbox and set a new password.

Accounts made with Google, Apple or Microsoft have no Ideogram password. Reset it with that provider instead.

## Related

* [Account Settings](/get-started/account-settings.md): display name, muted users and deleting your account
* [Plans and Credits](/plans-and-billing/available-plans.md)
* [Team Plan](/plans-and-billing/team-plan.md): joining a team through an invite