Nano Banana 2.1
- Elo
- 1,159 Elo · rank 4
- Price
- Freemium
- API
- Yes
- Weights
- No
WHAT IT DOES
Nano Banana 2.1 is Google's October 6, 2026 update to Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image), built on Gemini 3.6 Flash. It generates and edits images from text and reference images, at 1K, 2K and 4K, with multi-turn character consistency and optional grounding in Google Search. On the Gemini API it is gemini-nano-banana-2.1 at $30 per million image output tokens, which Google prices at about $0.034 per 1K image, $0.050 per 2K and $0.113 per 4K. It also runs in the Gemini app, Google AI Studio, AI Mode in Search, Flow and Stitch.
WHY WE PICKED IT
It is a better model for less money. On the independent Artificial Analysis text-to-image arena it scores well above Nano Banana 2 and level with Grok Imagine Image 2.0 and MAI-Image-2.6, and Google's price per 1K image is about half Nano Banana 2's. Google lists it as the replacement for Nano Banana 2.
QUICK FACTS
STRENGTHS
- ✓Well above Nano Banana 2 on the independent text-to-image arena
- ✓About half Nano Banana 2's price per 1K image on the Gemini API
- ✓Generates at 1K, 2K and 4K
- ✓Can ground images in Google Search results
LIMITATIONS
- ⚠No free tier on the Gemini API
- ⚠Google's model card notes small text and long paragraphs can still render poorly
- ⚠Character consistency and left/right placement in edits are not always reliable
GETTING STARTED
Try it free in the Gemini app or Google AI Studio. On the API, call gemini-nano-banana-2.1 with a paid key: there is no free API tier for this model. If you are on Nano Banana 2 (gemini-3.1-flash-image), switching is a change of model name.
BENCHMARKS
OFFICIAL LINKS
SIMILAR TOOLS
PRICING
Free tier includes limited features. Paid plans unlock full access, higher usage limits, and commercial usage rights.
FEATURED IN GUIDES
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EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES
Compare Nano Banana 2.1 with 5+ similar text → image AI tools.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Nano Banana 2.1 free?
Nano Banana 2.1 offers a free tier with optional paid upgrades.
Does Nano Banana 2.1 have an API?
Yes, Nano Banana 2.1 offers an API for programmatic integration.
What is Nano Banana 2.1 best for?
Nano Banana 2.1 is best for Best Value Image Model From Google. Nano Banana 2. It is a better model for less money. On the independent Artificial Analysis text-to-image arena it scores well above Nano Banana 2 and level with Grok Imagine Image 2.0 and MAI-Image-2.6, and Google's price per 1K image is about half Nano Banana 2's. Google lists it as the replacement for Nano Banana 2.
What platforms does Nano Banana 2.1 support?
Nano Banana 2.1 supports web, api.
Is Nano Banana 2.1 open source?
No, Nano Banana 2.1 is not open source.
How do I get started with Nano Banana 2.1?
Try it free in the Gemini app or Google AI Studio. On the API, call gemini-nano-banana-2.1 with a paid key: there is no free API tier for this model. If you are on Nano Banana 2 (gemini-3.1-flash-image), switching is a change of model name.
How do I generate images with Nano Banana 2.1?
Nano Banana 2.1 creates images from text descriptions. Enter detailed prompts describing the image you want, including style, composition, colors, and subject matter. It excels at well above nano banana 2 on the independent text-to-image arena.
How do I edit images with Nano Banana 2.1?
Nano Banana 2.1 transforms and edits existing images. Upload an image and use text prompts or controls to modify style, enhance quality, remove objects, or apply transformations. It excels at well above nano banana 2 on the independent text-to-image arena.
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