# Image upscaling API: DeepAI super resolution or creative upscale

DeepAI's image upscaling API offers two ways to enlarge a small, soft or compressed image. Super resolution sharpens the detail already in the image for $0.01, and creative upscale adds new detail as it enlarges, for $0.08. Send `POST https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/api/torch-srgan` or `POST https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/api/creative-upscale` with the image URL, pay the 402 price quote, and read `output_url` from the response.

## At a glance

- **Endpoints:** `POST https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/api/torch-srgan` (super resolution) and `POST https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/api/creative-upscale` (creative upscale), one image per request
- **Body:** `{"image": "<image URL>"}` as JSON, or the file as `image` in `multipart/form-data`
- **Price per image:** super resolution $0.01, creative upscale $0.08
- **Payment:** each request answers with a 402 price quote, paid from a wallet over x402 or MPP. No account or API key is needed.
- **Response:** JSON with `id` (the job identifier) and `output_url` (the link to the upscaled image)
- **Prepaid option:** Credits, from $0.50, for calls that draw down a balance
- **Full purchase flow:** [the buyer skill](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/SKILL.md)

## Choose super resolution or creative upscale

Start with super resolution. Switch to creative upscale when sharpening the existing detail is not enough.

| Your image and goal | Endpoint | Price per image |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A photo to enlarge for print | `/api/torch-srgan` | $0.01 |
| A small or compressed source whose detail needs recovering | `/api/torch-srgan` | $0.01 |
| A small or soft image that needs new detail added as it enlarges, not only sharpening | `/api/creative-upscale` | $0.08 |

Both endpoints take the same request body and return `id` and `output_url`. They differ in path, price and what they do to the detail.

## Upscale an image

1. Send the image URL to the endpoint you chose. The example image is a public-domain NASA photo:

   ```bash
   curl -i -X POST https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/api/torch-srgan \
     -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
     -d '{"image": "https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/LRC-1958-B701_P-03376/LRC-1958-B701_P-03376~small.jpg"}'
   ```

   For creative upscale, send the same body to `https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/api/creative-upscale`. To upload a local file instead, send it as a form field: `-F image=@photo.jpg`.

   The storefront answers with a 402 price quote, with the exact amount in `payment.amountUsd`.

2. Pay the 402 with an x402 or MPP client, which resends the identical request with the proof attached. The [buyer skill](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/SKILL.md) covers each rail.

3. Read the response. A paid call returns a JSON object of this shape:

   ```json
   {"id": "<job id>", "output_url": "<link to the upscaled image>"}
   ```

   The example request above, sent to super resolution, paid $0.01. The same photo sent to creative upscale paid $0.08 and returned the same two fields.

4. Fetch the image from `output_url` and save it:

   ```bash
   curl -sL "<output_url>" -o upscaled-photo
   ```

   The paid response also carries a `zc-billing` header, and its `chargedUsd` field states what the call charged.

## Boundaries

- The request takes one field, `image`. It has no scale factor, target size or style setting.
- One image per request, and each call gets its own 402.
- Each payment covers one request. A different image needs a fresh 402.
- Card pays a pay-as-you-go call only when that call costs $0.50 or more. For calls below that amount, pay with x402 or MPP, or buy Credits by card from $0.50.
- Buying Credits needs an agent credential from [auth.md](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/auth.md); [the buyer skill](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/SKILL.md) has the steps.

## Errors

| Response | Meaning | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `402` with a `payment` block | The price quote | Pay it and retry the same request, or stop |
| `settlement_failed` | The payment did not settle; `settlementReason` says why, such as `insufficient_funds` | Fix the wallet, then send the request again for a fresh 402 |
| `payment_request_mismatch` | A payment was reused for a different request | Request a fresh 402 for this request and pay that one |
| `invalid_request` (400) | The request body is malformed | Fix the JSON and resend |
| `usage_exhausted` | Your Credits balance is used up | Top up with `POST https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/extend`, or pay per call |

After a paid call reaches DeepAI, error responses carry DeepAI's own status code and body.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between super resolution and creative upscale?

Super resolution enlarges an image and sharpens the detail it already contains. It suits photos headed for print and small or compressed sources. Creative upscale adds new detail as it enlarges, for a small or soft image that needs more than sharpening. It costs $0.08 per image, against $0.01 for super resolution.

### Do I need an API key to use DeepAI's upscaling API?

No. A pay-as-you-go call needs no account, registration or API key. You pay the 402 for each image over x402 or MPP, and the signed payment authorizes the call.

### How much does it cost to upscale 100 images?

$1 with super resolution, or $8 with creative upscale. Each image is a separate call, and each call's 402 states the exact price before you pay.

### Can I upload an image file instead of sending a URL?

Yes. Both endpoints accept `multipart/form-data` with the file in the `image` field, as well as a JSON body with an image URL.

### Can I pay for an upscale by card?

Card pays a single pay-as-you-go call only when it costs $0.50 or more. For smaller calls, buy Credits by card from $0.50 with an agent identity, and each call then draws down the balance.

## Keep reading

- [Buyer skill](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/SKILL.md): the full purchase flow
- [How to pay](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/payment.md): the 402, the rails and Credits
- [Error reference](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/errors.md): every error code and what to do
- [Super resolution service](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/services/super-resolution): prices by plan
- [Creative upscale service](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/services/creative-upscale): prices by plan
- [API reference](https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/openapi.json): exact request and response schemas

---

Updated 2026-10-16. All DeepAI guides: https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/guides.md. Storefront: https://deepai.pay.zeroclick.io/zcj/xxjdp1n0zcua/llms.txt.