You're using the wrong ChatGPT-5 mode. Here's how to choose the right one

A quick way to get better responses with ChatGPT-5

Hi!

I noticed many of you enjoyed the GPT-5 prompting guide I wrote the other day, so I researched other approaches to getting better responses with ChatGPT. Here’s one:

The latest GPT-5 upgrade introduced new ChatGPT modes: Auto, Instant, Thinking Mini, Thinking, and Pro.

If you weren’t aware of these modes or have only been using the default, you’ve been missing out on better answers to your prompts. By switching to the right mode, I got quicker responses, deeper analysis, better image generation, and more.

In this guide, I’ll explain when to use each mode and discuss their weaknesses.

The ChatGPT Modes

To find the ChatGPT modes, just click on ChatGPT-5 located in the upper-left corner. You’ll see the list below.

Let’s start with auto mode.

Auto: The default mode you should avoid

Auto Mode is the default GPT-5 mode. It analyzes your prompt and context to choose what mode best fits your query (instant, thinking, etc)

On paper, auto mode is an intelligent autopilot that automatically switches from one mode to another. However, in reality, it doesn’t always work as expected, as many users have reported.

Who should use auto mode: Beginners who aren’t sure which ChatGPT mode to choose (if you’re reading this guide, you’ll rarely need Auto mode)

Weaknesses: GPT-5’s routing system, which analyzes your prompt, doesn’t always work as expected, and you might end up in the wrong mode for your tasks.

Instant Mode: The quick assistant

Instant Mode (or “Fast”) is all about speed. In this mode, GPT-5 prioritizes giving you an answer as quickly as possible, without spending extra time on lengthy reasoning steps. Think of Instant Mode as a quick assistant that doesn’t overanalyze, but prioritizes giving a quick response.

When to use it: Use it when your question is simple and you don’t need an in-depth explanation. Good for tasks such as getting definitions, translations, factual answers, quick summaries, or brainstorming basic ideas.

Who should use instant mode: If you find yourself saying, “just give me the answer now, without deep reasoning,” Instant Mode is the right choice.

Weaknesses: It gives shallow responses, and the chance of errors or missing details is higher, which makes it bad for high-stakes tasks, and even simpler tasks like generating images (in this mode, the image generator usually misses details or fails at writing text in images)

Thinking Mode: The AI strategist