> 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

Sign in to Ideogram with Google, Apple, Microsoft, SSO or email. Understand account methods, free credits, email password requirements and recovery for sign-in or SSO errors.

Use this page to log in or sign up for Ideogram, see which accounts get free credits, and reset a forgotten password.

## Ways to sign in

### Sign in or sign up

1. Go to [ideogram.ai](https://ideogram.ai/).
2. Select **Sign in** or **Get started**.
3. On **Log in or sign up**, select one of the options below.

* **Continue with Google**
* **Continue with Apple**
* **Continue with Microsoft**
* **Continue with SSO**, if your company uses single sign-on. See the steps below.
* **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.

### Sign in with email

Choose **Continue with email**, enter your **Email** and **Password**, then select **Continue with email** in the form. The button becomes available when the address has a valid email format and the password has at least six characters. Use the same email/password pair when you return.

If the form remembers an email address, check that it is the account you intend to use. **Use another account** returns to the other sign-in choices; it does not merge accounts.

### Sign in with SSO

1. On **Log in or sign up**, select **Continue with SSO**.
2. Enter your **Work email**.
3. Click **Continue with SSO**.

If your company requires SSO, other methods are refused and the SSO option opens with your email filled in.

* **No SSO is configured for your organization:** check the work email and ask your organization's administrator whether SSO has been set up for that domain.
* **Something went wrong checking SSO:** retry the lookup. This is different from a message saying SSO has not been configured.
* **Your organization requires signing in with SSO:** continue in the SSO panel with the work email shown, rather than repeatedly trying a different provider.

## 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 @.
2. Add a **Full name (optional)** if you want one.
3. Select **Continue**.
4. Under **What best describes you?**, pick any roles that fit and select **Continue**, or select **Skip**.
5. 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.

The email field must contain a valid address before **Forgot password?** can send a reset link. A successful request shows **Check your inbox** and the address it was sent to. Check that address before making another request.

Accounts made with Google, Apple, Microsoft or SSO have no Ideogram password. Reset it with that provider or your organization's sign-in system instead.

### If email sign-in fails

* **Incorrect email or password:** check both fields and confirm that this account uses email sign-in. Use **Forgot password?** for an email account rather than creating another account with a different provider.
* **Too many attempts:** wait a moment before trying again, as the message requests.
* **This account has been disabled:** contact [support](/help/support.md) with the account's email and the message you see.

## 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