ChatGPT Prompt Cheat Sheet
The quick-reference guide for writing better prompts. Bookmark this page — it covers prompt formulas, power phrases, formatting tricks, role templates, and common fixes.
You don't need to memorize hundreds of prompts. You need a handful of formulas and power phrases that work across any task. This cheat sheet gives you exactly that.
Every technique works with ChatGPT (GPT-4o, GPT-4, GPT-3.5), Claude, and Gemini. Copy any template, replace the placeholders, and paste.
1. Prompt Formulas
Six plug-and-play frameworks. Pick one based on what you're trying to do.
CRAFT (General Purpose)
Context + Role + Action + Format + ToneRISEN (Complex Tasks)
Role + Instructions + Steps + End goal + NarrowingSTAR (Content Creation)
Situation + Task + Action + ResultBAB (Persuasive Writing)
Before (problem) + After (solution) + Bridge (how)RODES (Problem Solving)
Role + Objective + Details + Examples + Sense-checkChain-of-Thought (Reasoning)
Question + 'Think step by step' + Constraints2. Power Phrases That Improve Any Prompt
Append these to the end of any prompt to control quality, length, and style.
Quality Control
Be specific and give concrete examples.Reduces vague, generic output.
No filler, no fluff, no generic advice. Every sentence should add value.Eliminates AI padding.
Write as if explaining to an expert in {{field}}. Skip basics.Raises sophistication level.
Include potential counterarguments and address them.Produces more balanced, thorough output.
If you're not confident about a fact, say so. Don't fabricate.Reduces hallucination.
Length & Format
Keep your response under {{number}} words.Format as bullet points. One idea per bullet.Present this as a table with columns: {{col1}}, {{col2}}, {{col3}}.Break this into numbered steps. Each step should be one action.Start with a 2-sentence TL;DR, then provide the full answer.Tone & Style
Write conversationally, like explaining to a smart friend over coffee.Use a professional, executive tone. No casual language.Match the tone and style of this example: "{{paste_sample}}"Don't use phrases like "delve into", "it's important to note", "in today's world", or "game-changer." Write like a human.Write in the style of {{author_name}} — match their sentence rhythm, vocabulary, and perspective.3. Role Templates
Start your prompt with a role to get domain-specific responses. Copy the role opener and add your task after it.
Marketing Strategist
You are a senior marketing strategist with 15 years of experience in B2B SaaS. You specialize in growth marketing, demand gen, and content strategy.Copywriter
You are a direct-response copywriter who has written for brands like Apple and Nike. You write with clarity, brevity, and impact. Every word earns its place.Senior Developer
You are a senior software engineer with expertise in {{language/framework}}. You write clean, maintainable, well-tested code. You explain technical decisions clearly.Data Analyst
You are a data analyst who turns raw data into actionable business insights. You think in patterns, question assumptions, and present findings clearly to non-technical stakeholders.Executive Coach
You are an executive coach who has worked with Fortune 500 leaders. You ask powerful questions, challenge assumptions, and provide frameworks for decision-making.Legal Advisor
You are a business attorney experienced in {{area — contracts, IP, employment, etc.}}. Explain legal concepts in plain English. Always note when they should consult a real lawyer.UX Researcher
You are a UX researcher who conducts user interviews, usability tests, and survey design. You think in terms of user needs, pain points, and behavioral patterns.Financial Analyst
You are a financial analyst experienced in {{area — budgeting, forecasting, valuation, etc.}}. You think in numbers, margins, and ROI. Explain financial concepts to a non-finance audience.HR Manager
You are an HR manager with experience in hiring, performance reviews, and employee relations. You balance company needs with employee experience.Content Editor
You are a content editor at a major publication. You improve clarity, structure, and voice without changing the author's meaning. You cut ruthlessly and tighten prose.Sales Rep
You are a top-performing B2B sales rep. You write concise, personalized outreach. You handle objections with empathy and always lead with value.Product Manager
You are a product manager at a tech company. You think in user stories, prioritize ruthlessly using RICE/ICE frameworks, and communicate tradeoffs to engineering and leadership.4. Output Formatting Tricks
Control exactly how ChatGPT structures its response.
Present your answer as a markdown table with these columns: {{columns}}.Great for comparisons, feature matrices, pros/cons.
Return your answer as valid JSON with this structure: { "title": "", "items": [{ "name": "", "description": "" }] }Useful for developers feeding output into apps.
Return a numbered list. Each item: one sentence max. No explanations unless asked.Forces conciseness.
Format as two sections: PROS (bulleted) and CONS (bulleted). Be honest about both.Start with a 3-sentence executive summary, then provide the detailed analysis below.Readers get the answer first, details if they want them.
Compare {{A}} and {{B}} using this format for each: Overview (2 sentences), Strengths (3 bullets), Weaknesses (3 bullets), Best for (1 sentence).Create a reusable template with [BRACKETS] for parts I need to customize.Builds templates you can reuse indefinitely.
Rate each option on a scale of 1-5 for: {{criteria1}}, {{criteria2}}, {{criteria3}}. Show scores in a table with a total.5. One-Liner Prompts by Task
Copy-paste these for the most common ChatGPT tasks. Replace the placeholders and go.
Writing & Content
Create a blog outline for "{{topic}}" targeting "{{keyword}}". Include H2s, H3s, FAQ section, and meta description.Rewrite this text in a {{tone}} tone. Keep the same meaning: {{text}}Summarize this in 3 bullet points. Each bullet: one key takeaway. {{text}}Write a professional email to {{recipient}} about {{topic}}. Goal: {{what_you_want}}. Keep under 150 words.Write a {{platform}} post about {{topic}}. Include a hook, value, and CTA. Under {{word_count}} words.Analysis & Research
Do a SWOT analysis of {{company/product}}. Format as a 2x2 table. Be specific, not generic.Compare {{our_product}} vs {{competitor}} across: features, pricing, target audience, and key differentiators. Table format.Here's my data: {{data}}. What are the 3 most important insights? What would you investigate further?I'm choosing between {{options}}. Score each on: {{criteria}}. Use a 1-5 scale. Recommend one with reasoning.Explain {{concept}} like I'm a {{level — beginner/intermediate/expert}}. Use an analogy. Then give one real example.Coding & Technical
Here's my code and the error. Explain what's wrong, why it happens, and give the fix: {{code}} Error: {{error}}Review this code for bugs, performance issues, and readability. Suggest specific improvements: {{code}}Refactor this code to be more readable and maintainable. Explain each change: {{code}}Write unit tests for this function. Cover: happy path, edge cases, and error cases: {{code}}Explain this code line by line. What does it do, why is it written this way, and what would break if I changed it? {{code}}Business & Strategy
Create a {{duration}}-minute meeting agenda for {{topic}}. Include: objective, discussion items with time allotments, action items, and next steps.Write 3 OKRs for a {{role/team}} focused on {{goal}} this quarter. Each: 1 objective, 3 measurable key results.Write a job description for a {{role}} at a {{company_type}}. Include: responsibilities, requirements, nice-to-haves, and what makes this role unique.Write constructive feedback for {{person/situation}}. Situation: {{context}}. Use SBI format (Situation, Behavior, Impact). Be specific and kind.Write a 1-page strategy brief for {{initiative}}. Sections: Context, Problem, Proposed Solution, Success Metrics, Risks, Timeline.6. Common Problems & Fixes
When ChatGPT gives you bad output, don't start over — fix the prompt.
"Be more specific. Give concrete examples, not abstract advice. Reference real tools, metrics, or case studies.""Keep your answer under 200 words. One idea per paragraph. Cut anything that doesn't directly answer my question.""Write like a human, not an AI. Vary sentence length. Use contractions. Include one imperfect aside or opinion.""Before responding, re-read my instructions. Confirm you understand the constraints. Then respond following them exactly.""Only include facts you're confident about. If unsure, explicitly say 'I'm not certain about this.' Don't fabricate statistics or citations.""Don't hedge. Give me your best recommendation with reasoning. I can handle a strong opinion — I want one.""Each point should add new information. Don't restate the same idea in different words. If you've covered it, move on."7. Advanced Techniques
Level up your prompts when basic formulas aren't enough.
Few-Shot Prompting (Show Examples)
I need you to write product descriptions. Here are 2 examples of the style I want:
Example 1: "The Horizon Backpack — 22L of organized chaos. Laptop sleeve, hidden passport pocket, and a water bottle holder that actually holds water bottles."
Example 2: "The Drift Sunglasses — Polarized lenses that don't make you look like a dad on vacation. Featherweight titanium. Scratch-proof, ego-proof."
Now write one for: {{product_name}} — {{product_details}}Showing 2-3 examples is the fastest way to control voice and format.
Iterative Refinement (Build in Stages)
Prompt 1: "Write a rough outline for {{topic}}."
Prompt 2: "Expand section 3 into full paragraphs."
Prompt 3: "Now make it more concise. Cut 30% of the words."
Prompt 4: "Add a stronger opening hook and CTA."Better results than one massive prompt. Guide the AI through stages.
Self-Critique Prompt
Write {{content}}. Then review your own output:
- What's the weakest part?
- What would a tough editor cut?
- What's missing?
Revise based on your critique and show the improved version.Forces the model to evaluate and improve its own output.
Perspective Shift
Analyze {{topic}} from 3 different perspectives:
1. A skeptic who thinks it's overhyped
2. An early adopter who's all-in
3. A pragmatist evaluating ROI
For each perspective, give their strongest argument (3 sentences).Eliminates one-sided thinking. Great for strategy and content.
Constraint Stacking
Write {{content}}.
Constraints:
- Under {{word_count}} words
- Reading level: {{grade_level}}
- Must include: {{required_element}}
- Must NOT include: {{banned_element}}
- Format: {{specific_format}}
- Audience: {{audience}}More constraints = more focused output. Stack 4-6 constraints for best results.
Bookmark This Cheat Sheet
Create a free account to save this cheat sheet, build custom prompt collections, and access 10,000+ templates.
Writing Microtools — Skip the Prompt
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ChatGPT prompt cheat sheet?
A prompt cheat sheet is a quick-reference guide with reusable formulas, power phrases, and templates you can copy-paste into ChatGPT to get better results. Instead of writing prompts from scratch each time, you plug your details into proven structures.
What is the best prompt formula for ChatGPT?
The CRAFT formula (Context, Role, Action, Format, Tone) works for 90% of tasks. Give ChatGPT background context, assign a role, specify the action, define the output format, and set the tone. This cheat sheet covers 6 formulas for different situations.
How do I make ChatGPT give longer, more detailed answers?
Add explicit length instructions: "Write at least 500 words" or "Cover this in 5 detailed paragraphs." You can also say "Be thorough and comprehensive" or "Include examples for each point." Asking follow-up questions like "Expand on point 3" also works.
Does this cheat sheet work with Claude and Gemini?
Yes. All formulas and techniques are model-agnostic. Claude responds especially well to role-based prompts and structured instructions. Gemini works well with step-by-step prompts. The core principles apply across all LLMs.
How do I save this cheat sheet?
Bookmark this page for instant access. You can also create a free AI Prompt Library account to save individual prompts to your personal collection and organize them by project.
Go Deeper — Prompt Guides by Use Case
ChatGPT Prompts for Business
80+ prompts for strategy, operations, finance, and hiring.
ChatGPT Prompts for Writing
60+ prompts for creative fiction, blogs, emails, and editing.
ChatGPT System Prompts
50 system prompt examples that control tone and persona.
Prompt Engineering Techniques
Complete guide to 7 advanced prompting methods.
Get 10 Free AI Prompt Templates
Join 2,000+ professionals getting weekly prompt tips and templates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Related Articles
Prompt Engineering
ChatGPT System Prompts — 50 Examples That Transform Outputs (2026)
Master ChatGPT system prompts with 50 copy-paste examples. Learn how system messages control tone, format, and persona — with before/after comparisons.
16 min read
Prompt Engineering
Claude XML Tags for Prompt Engineering: Complete Reference [2026]
Master Claude XML tags for prompt engineering. Complete reference with copy-paste examples for task, context, instructions, examples, thinking tags, and more. Updated 2026.
10 min read
AI Guides
100+ Best Claude AI Prompts — Free Templates & Examples (2026)
Browse 100+ Claude AI prompts with XML formatting and thinking tags. Free copy-paste templates for coding, writing, analysis, and research — from Anthropic's prompt library.
18 min read