Building a website in Elementor is fast. But writing copy, generating images, and adding custom CSS still take time. Elementor AI is built to handle that.
Elementor AI is a set of AI tools embedded directly in the Elementor editor that generate text, images, code, and full page layouts from a text prompt, without leaving the editor. First released in 2023, it has expanded significantly since then to include AI Copilot, Container Layout generation, and a full-site planner.
This guide covers everything you need: what Elementor AI can generate, how the credit system works, and step-by-step instructions for each feature. All features and credit costs were last verified in May 2026 on Elementor v4.0.3, WordPress 6.9.4.
What Is Elementor AI?
Elementor AI is a native AI feature set inside the Elementor page builder that generates text, code, images, and layout structures directly within the editor, without requiring a separate AI tool or plugin. It is available on any WordPress site with Elementor installed and an active Elementor account connected, with some advanced features requiring a paid AI subscription.
The Plus Addons team covered Elementor AI at its 2023 launch, when it was limited to text generation, basic image creation, and CSS for Pro users. The toolset has grown substantially since. Here is the original Elementor announcement that introduced it:
What Can Elementor AI Generate?
As of 2026, Elementor AI covers six core capabilities. Each feature draws from a shared credit pool in your Elementor AI subscription. Credit costs below were sourced from Elementor’s official product page in May 2026.
| Feature | What It Does | Credits Per Action |
|---|---|---|
| Text Generation | Write, rewrite, rephrase, or translate copy in any text widget | 1 credit |
| Image Generation | Create original images, remove backgrounds, extend images, create variations | 33 credits |
| Code Generation | Write custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for any element | 1 credit |
| Container Layouts | Convert a text prompt or reference URL into a full section layout | 40 credits |
| AI Copilot | Suggests design layout variations based on your existing page structure | Varies |
| AI Site Planner | Converts a brief or meeting notes into a full site wireframe and sitemap | Varies |
Does Elementor AI Require Elementor Pro?
No. Elementor AI is a separate subscription from Elementor Pro. Having Elementor Pro does not automatically give you AI access, and you do not need Elementor Pro to use Elementor AI.
To use Elementor AI, you need:
- A free Elementor account connected to your WordPress site
- Elementor free or Pro (v4.x recommended for the full AI feature set)
- An active AI subscription or unused free trial credits
Every new Elementor account receives a free trial credit allocation. Once those credits are used, you need a paid plan. The primary plan for AI-heavy usage is Elementor One, which includes 25,000 monthly credits per site. At the credit rates above, that covers 25,000 text prompts, 757 image generations, or 625 container layouts per month.
How Much Does Elementor AI Cost?
Elementor AI uses a credit-based pricing model. Every AI action consumes credits at different rates depending on the type of generation. The pricing model has changed significantly since Elementor AI launched in 2023. The original flat $2.99/month plan no longer exists.
Current credit consumption rates (verified May 2026):
- Text and code prompts: 1 credit each
- Image generation: 33 credits per image
- Container layouts: 40 credits per layout
Elementor One is the primary subscription tier that includes AI features with 25,000 monthly credits per site. Exact plan prices are updated by Elementor and vary by region. For current rates, visit elementor.com/pricing directly before subscribing.
How to Use Elementor AI [Step-by-Step]
Here is how to activate Elementor AI and use each of its main features. Setup takes under five minutes if Elementor is already installed.
- Install Elementor: Download Elementor from WordPress.org if it is not already on your site. The free and Pro versions both support Elementor AI.
- Create a free Elementor account: Visit my.elementor.com and register. This account is required to activate the free trial and manage your AI subscription.
- Connect your account in WordPress: In your WordPress dashboard, open the Elementor menu and look for the account connection or settings area. Sign in with your Elementor account to link the site and unlock free trial credits.
- Open any page in Elementor: Go to Pages or Posts, open any page, and click Edit with Elementor to enter the editor.
Generate Text with Elementor AI
- Click on any Text widget or Heading widget in the editor to select it.
- Look for an AI icon or AI option in the text editing toolbar or panel. It typically appears near the text field once the widget is selected.
- Type your prompt in the AI input field. Be specific: “Write a 3-sentence hero headline for a fitness studio targeting busy professionals in a confident, motivating tone.”
- Adjust tone and length options if available, then trigger generation.
- Review the result and insert it into the widget, or regenerate if the output does not fit your needs.
You can also select existing text and use the AI option to rephrase it, change its tone, shorten it, expand it, or translate it into another language. Each text prompt costs 1 credit.
Generate Images with Elementor AI
- Click on any Image widget in the editor to select it.
- In the left panel, look for an AI image generation option — it appears in the image source area of the widget settings.
- Describe the image in detail: subject, style, mood, and aspect ratio. Example: “A flat-lay photo of a coffee mug on a wooden desk, warm morning light, 16:9.”
- Trigger generation, select the image you want from the results, and insert it into the widget.
Additional image editing tools are available once an image is selected: one removes the background from an uploaded image, one expands the canvas beyond the original borders, and one generates similar variations of an existing image. Each image action costs 33 credits.
Generate Code and CSS with Elementor AI
- Click any element and open its Advanced tab in the left panel.
- In the Custom CSS area, look for an AI option to generate code for that element.
- Describe the effect you want. Example: “Add a glowing border animation to this container on hover.”
- Trigger generation and review the code output before applying it.
- Save your page before inserting any AI-generated code. Generated CSS can occasionally conflict with existing styles.
For HTML and JavaScript, add an HTML widget to your page and look for the AI option within it. The code Elementor AI produces includes Elementor-specific CSS selectors, which reduces the need to manually find and match class names.
Build Layouts with AI (Container Layouts and AI Copilot)
Container Layouts and AI Copilot are available with Elementor One. Each consumes 40 credits per generation.
- Add a new Container to your page.
- Look for an AI layout option associated with the container. It may appear in the container settings panel or via a contextual menu on the container itself.
- Describe the section you want, or paste a reference URL. Example: “A two-column pricing section with a feature list on the left and a CTA card on the right.”
- Trigger generation, choose from the layout variations shown, and apply the one you want.
AI Site Planner works at the planning stage: you paste a brief or meeting notes into the tool, and it generates a full site wireframe with a suggested sitemap. This is useful for client discovery sessions to rapidly show a client what their site could look like before you start building.
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Elementor AI Limitations Worth Knowing
Elementor AI handles a wide range of tasks, but it has real constraints that are worth knowing before you subscribe.
- Generated code can be inaccurate. Always save your page before inserting AI-generated CSS or HTML. Review the code before publishing, it is designed for Elementor but can occasionally produce conflicting or incomplete output.
- Image generation is credit-heavy. At 33 credits per image, a 25,000-credit plan covers roughly 757 images per month. If your workflow is image-intensive, monitor usage closely or the plan can run out faster than expected.
- Container Layouts and AI Copilot require Elementor One. These features are not included in standard Elementor Pro subscriptions. Check your current plan before expecting access to layout generation.
- AI text is a first draft. Generated copy does not know your brand voice, your audience’s language, or your differentiators. Budget editing time after generation. Use it to remove the blank-page problem, not to skip writing entirely.
- Works only inside the Elementor editor. Elementor AI is not available in the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) or any other page builder. If you work across multiple builders, AI features do not transfer.
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Is Elementor AI Worth It? [2026 Verdict]
Elementor AI is a practical productivity tool, not a replacement for a designer or copywriter. Whether it earns its subscription cost depends entirely on your workflow.
Elementor AI is worth it if you:
- Regularly write placeholder or first-draft copy for client sites and want to cut that time
- Build similar page types repeatedly, landing pages, service pages, team pages, and want layout scaffolding
- Need original images and want an alternative to stock photo subscriptions
- Work with clients in discovery and want to show wireframes before building
Elementor AI is not worth it if you:
- Write technical, research-heavy, or highly brand-specific content where AI output needs extensive rewriting anyway
- Build only one or two sites per year and writing copy manually is fast enough
- Are working within a tight budget and cannot justify an additional subscription on top of Elementor Pro
The free trial gives you enough credits to evaluate whether Elementor AI fits your workflow before committing. Start there, and upgrade to Elementor One only if you reach the trial limit regularly.
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