AI Guides

Beginner

1 min read 4 stepsFebruary 21, 2026Verified February 2026

Getting Started with ChatGPT

Create an account, send your first prompt, and learn the basics of conversing with ChatGPT.

At a Glance

~15s

Go to chat.openai.com and sign up with your email, Google, or Apple account. The free tier gives you access to GPT-3.5.

~15s

Type a question or instruction in the text box and press Enter. ChatGPT will respond in a conversational format.

~15s

If the answer isn't quite right, ask follow-up questions or say "make it shorter" or "explain like I'm five" to refine the response.

~15s

Click "New Chat" in the sidebar to start fresh. Each conversation is independent — ChatGPT won't remember previous chats unless you enable Memory.

You Did It!

You've finished reading: Getting Started with ChatGPT

How well did this guide stick with you?

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

beginner

chatgpt

openai

chatbot

Official Resources

Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

← Previous

What Is AI? A Plain-English Explanation for Everyday People

How to Write Good AI Prompts

A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

Learn more from official sources

What Is AI? A Plain-English Explanation for Everyday People

Artificial intelligence is everywhere — but what actually is it? This beginner-friendly guide explains AI, how it works, and what it means for you.

4 min read

How to Write Good AI Prompts

Master the art of prompt engineering to get better, more useful responses from any AI chatbot.

1 min read

ChatGPT vs. Gemini vs. Claude: Which AI Should You Use?

Compare the top AI chatbots to find the best one for your needs — writing, research, coding, and more.

1 min read