Have you ever noticed that AI sometimes forgets what you told it earlier in a conversation?

That happens because every AI model has a memory limit, known as a context window.

Understanding this is important for achieving consistent and reliable results with tools like ChatGPT or Gemini.

In this article, we will explain what context windows are and how you can work with them effectively.

What Is the Context Window?

The context window is the amount of text (measured in tokens) that an AI model can remember at any one time.

Think of it as the model’s short-term memory.

If your conversation or document is longer than the window allows, older parts may be dropped or forgotten.

• GPT-5: up to 1 million tokens (large enough for entire books or projects).
• Gemini Ultra: also supports huge context windows.
• Most smaller models: 8,000–128,000 tokens.

This limitation is why details within a chat sometimes disappear when the conversation becomes too lengthy.

Tokens to Words Conversion Chart

A token is a chunk of text used by language models. On average, one token is about three-quarters of a word in English. The actual size varies depending on word length and punctuation, but this chart provides practical estimates for planning writing length.

Tokens to Approximate Number of Words 

100 = 75 words

250 = 190 words

500 = 375 words

1000 = 750 words

2000 = 1,500 words

4000 = 3,000 words

8000 = 6,000 words

16000 = 12,000 words

32000 = 24,000 words

100000 = 75,000 words (about a full-length novel)

Why Context Windows Matter

For writers, solopreneurs, and business owners, context windows determine:

• How much text can you paste into a single prompt?
• How long can the AI stay “on track” before it loses details?
• How well AI can handle large projects like reports, books, or research analysis.

Understanding these limits helps you design better workflows.

Techniques for Managing Context Windows

1. Chunking Your Content

Break long text into smaller pieces and feed them to the AI in sequence.

Prompt Example:

“Here’s part 1 of my article. Acknowledge but do not analyse until I provide all parts.”

2. Summarise as You Go

Ask the AI to create summaries of earlier parts so it retains the key points without keeping every word.

Prompt Example:

“Summarise the first three sections into key bullet points we can use to continue this draft.”

3. Refresh the Memory

If a detail is important, restate it later in the conversation to keep it active.

Prompt Example:

“Remember: my audience is executives who want practical AI tips. Keep this in mind as we continue.”

4. External Memory Tools

Some platforms allow you to save context externally (like note-taking tools or integrated apps).

This gives you continuity beyond the built-in limits.

Best Practices

• Know your model’s context window size.
• Use summaries to keep key information alive.
• Restate critical details when moving into new sections.
• Break large projects into chunks instead of pasting everything at once.
• Test with sample workflows until you find a system that works for you.

FAQs

Q: How do I know if my context window is too small?

A: If the AI starts ignoring or contradicting earlier details, you may have exceeded the limit.

Q: Does ChatGPT-5 solve this problem with a 1M token window?

A: It helps significantly, but even with large context windows, structured workflows still give better results overall.

Q: Can Deep Research overcome context limits?

A: Deep Research allows AI to look things up beyond the conversation, but it is still separate from memory.

Context management remains essential for structured tasks, such as writing or analysis.

Key Takeaways

• A context window is the AI’s working memory.
• New models like ChatGPT-5 and Gemini have expanded windows, but the limits still exist.
• Manage long conversations with chunking, summaries, and refresh prompts.
• Structured workflows ensure clarity and better results.

Conclusion

Context windows may sound technical, but they have a simple impact:

They decide how much the AI can remember while helping you.

By learning to work within these limits, you will avoid frustration and achieve better results in writing, research, and productivity.

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Note on Accuracy

AI tools evolve quickly. Context window sizes, deep research capabilities,

and memory features may expand in the future. Always check the latest model specifications for current limits.