> ## Documentation Index
> This page is part of the Image and Video APIs product. Fetch the complete documentation index for Image and Video APIs at: https://cloudinary.com/documentation/llms-image-and-video-apis.txt?referrer=docpage and then use it to discover all relevant pages before exploring further.
> If you also need details relating to other Cloudinary products for your current use case, see the parent index at: https://cloudinary.com/documentation/llms.txt?referrer=docpage

# Pricing (video tutorial)

## Overview

Wondering how Cloudinary pricing works? This tutorial breaks down the usage-based model: Cloudinary charges for transformations, delivery, and storage, not just how much you store.

## Video tutorial

  This video is brought to you by Cloudinary's video player - embed your own!Use the controls to set the playback speed, navigate to chapters of interest and select subtitles in your preferred language.
{videoTranscript:publicId=training/Pricing_8_Jun_2026_sy0fjy}

## Tutorial contents
This tutorial presents the following topics. Click a timestamp to jump to that part of the video.### Usage-based pricing
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  |
| --- | --- |
| | The core idea is that Cloudinary charges based on usage, not just how much you store. Learn more in the [Billing and plans](billing_and_plans) guide. |

### The three components of usage
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  |
| --- | --- |
| | Usage is broken into three parts: transformations, delivery, and storage. |

### Transformations and caching
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  |
| --- | --- |
| | The transformation contains the instructions to deliver a modified version of the asset, for example to optimize, resize, or remove a background. You're only charged the first time you apply a particular transformation to a particular asset, because after that, the asset variation is cached. |

### Delivery and storage
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  |
| --- | --- |
| | Every time someone loads your image anywhere in the world, that's delivery. And storing the image counts against storage. |

### Optimize to pay less
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  |
| --- | --- |
| | Here's the twist: the more you optimize, the less you pay for delivery. There's a real incentive to use [Cloudinary optimizations](image_optimization) to build high-performing websites, get the best value, and keep your costs low. |

### Monitor your usage
{table:class=tutorial-bullets}|  |
| --- | --- |
| | Monitor your usage in the [dashboard](https://console.cloudinary.com/app/home/usage-reports) and see trends in real time. |

## Keep learning

> **READING**:
>
> * Get the full breakdown of the usage-based model in the [Billing and plans](billing_and_plans) guide.

> * Analyze your account and product environment reports with [usage data](programmable_media_asset_usage_data).

> * See how [image optimization](image_optimization) reduces delivery costs while improving performance.

#### If you like this, you might also like...

[API Key and Secret](api_key_secret_tutorial)

Find your Cloudinary credentials in the console

[Optimize Images](image_optimization_basics_tutorial)

Deliver faster images with q_auto and f_auto

[Remove Backgrounds](background_removal_tutorial)

Erase any image background with one URL parameter

 

 Check out the Cloudinary Academy for free self-paced Cloudinary courses on a variety of developer or DAM topics, or register for formal instructor-led courses, either virtual or on-site.