Understanding Tokens, Quotas, and Successful Optimizations
LessFlux uses a token-based system to track image and video optimizations. Understanding how tokens work will help you avoid unexpected limits and better estimate how many files your plan can handle.
The most important thing to remember is that tokens are only consumed when a file is successfully optimized.
What are tokens?
Tokens are the resource used to process images and videos through the LessFlux optimization system.
Every plan includes a monthly token allowance, and additional token packs can be purchased if needed.
When a file is successfully optimized, the required number of tokens is deducted from your available balance.
What is a quota?
Your quota is the total amount of optimization resources available to your account.
This quota is determined by:
- your current subscription plan
- any additional token packs you have purchased
Once your available quota is exhausted, new files can no longer be optimized until more tokens become available.
When are tokens consumed?
Tokens are only deducted after a successful optimization.
This means you are not charged for files that:
- fail during processing
- cannot be processed
- are ignored by configuration
- do not require optimization
This ensures that tokens are used only when LessFlux delivers an actual result.
What counts as a successful optimization?
A successful optimization occurs when LessFlux processes a file and produces an optimized version.
Files with a status of Processed are considered successful optimizations.
These files:
- have completed processing
- received an optimized output
- consume tokens from your quota
What does not consume tokens?
Several statuses do not use any quota because no successful optimization took place.
- No need for optimisation
- Ignored
- Failed
- Could not process
- Resource not found
These files may appear in logs or status lists, but they do not reduce your available token balance.
Why quota usage can be higher than expected
Many WordPress users only think about the original image they upload.
However, WordPress typically creates multiple versions of every image:
- thumbnail
- medium
- large
- theme-specific image sizes
Since LessFlux optimizes all generated image sizes, a single upload may result in multiple successful optimizations.
This is completely normal and is one of the reasons optimization is effective across the entire site.
How to monitor your usage
You can track your usage directly from the LessFlux platform.
The dashboard provides visibility into:
- image optimization usage
- video optimization usage
- CDN bandwidth usage
Monitoring these numbers regularly helps avoid unexpected quota limits.
What happens when you run out of quota?
If your available quota reaches zero:
- new files will not be optimized
- affected files will receive a “Quota Exceeded” status
- existing optimized files continue to work normally
Nothing breaks on your website. LessFlux simply stops processing new files until quota becomes available again.
How to get more optimization capacity
If you regularly reach your limits, you have several options:
- upgrade to a larger plan
- purchase additional token packs
- review which image sizes are being optimized
For most websites, the included quota is enough for normal day-to-day uploads after the initial optimization phase.
Best practices
- run bulk optimization shortly after setting up the plugin
- monitor quota usage during large media imports
- remember that WordPress creates multiple image sizes
- don’t worry about failed or skipped files consuming tokens—they don’t
Understanding how tokens and quotas work makes it easier to predict usage, manage costs, and get the most value from your LessFlux plan.