How Thoughts and Ink Drops work
Ink Drops are the credits behind every AI action. Here is what they are, how fast they run out and when they are used.
Every AI action in BrainDump (Ask, Create, Tidy up, Untangle, grammar fixes and more) is called a Thought. Thoughts are paid for with Ink Drops, the AI credits.
What an Ink Drop is
- Ink Drops count the text AI reads and writes: your note going in, and the result coming back.
- 1 Ink Drop is about ¾ of a word.
- Short notes cost few Ink Drops. Long notes, and answers that read several notes, cost more. There is no fixed price per Thought.
Where your Ink Drops come from
BrainDump uses them in this order:
- Your monthly allowance first: 3 free Thoughts on the Free plan, or the larger monthly allowance included with Focus.
- Then your Ink Drop balance, if you bought any.
The monthly allowance resets on the 1st of every month. Bought Ink Drops never reset and never expire.
Check what you have left
- Open Settings and find the AI section.
- On Focus, see how much of your monthly allowance you used. Your Ink Drop balance shows under “Buy Ink Drops”.
Good to know
- Lifetime does not include AI, but you can still buy Ink Drops.
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Related guides
- Buy more Ink DropsTop up with a one-time purchase. No subscription, and the Ink Drops never expire.
- How much AI is freeFree plans include 3 Thoughts a month. See what happens when they run out and what Focus and Lifetime add.
- Ask your notes a questionAsk in plain words and get answers pulled from what you have written.