Comparison · Image models
Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2
Nano Banana 2.1 or 2? Version 2.1 has one price for 1K, 2K and 4K but returns one image per request. Nano Banana 2 adds 0.5K and up to 4 images per call.
Specs side by side
| Nano Banana 2.1 | Nano Banana 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | ||
| Type | Image | Image |
| Modes | text-to-image image-to-image | text-to-image image-to-image |
| Released | 2026-10 | 2026-02 |
| Resolutions | 1K, 2K, 4K | 0.5K, 1K, 2K, 4K |
| Aspect ratios | auto, 1:1, 1:4, 1:8, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:1, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 8:1, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9 | 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9, 1:4, 4:1, 1:8, 8:1 |
| Reference images | up to 14 | up to 14 |
| Prompt length | - | up to 32,000 chars |
Price per unit and per clip
| Model | Variant | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana 2.1 | - | $0.0699 / image |
| Nano Banana 2 | 0.5K | $0.07 / image |
| 1K | $0.07 / image | |
| 2K | $0.0875 / image | |
| 4K | $0.113 / image |
Prices exclude taxes and are charged from your prepaid USD balance. Failed generations cost nothing.
Nano Banana 2.1 pays off mostly at high resolution: a 2K or 4K image costs the same as 1K, while on Nano Banana 2 the rate rises with each tier. Nano Banana 2 is still the better pick when you want several variants in one request or a cheap 0.5K preview.
Key differences
- Price. Nano Banana 2.1: $0.0699 per image at any resolution. Nano Banana 2: from $0.07 per image at 1K, more at 2K and 4K.
- Resolution. 2.1: 1K, 2K, 4K. Nano Banana 2: 0.5K, 1K, 2K, 4K.
- Images per request. 2.1 returns one image, Nano Banana 2 up to 4 (
num_images). - Aspect ratios. Both have 14 formats from 8:1 to 1:8. Version 2.1 adds
auto(the default), which keeps the source photo's format when editing. - References. Both accept up to 14 reference images.
When to pick Nano Banana 2.1
- 2K and 4K graphics, for print or large banners.
- Photo edits where the output should keep the source framing.
- Scripted generation where every image is a separate request anyway.
When to pick Nano Banana 2
- Several thumbnail variants in one pass.
- Quick 0.5K sketches before choosing a direction.
- Existing integrations that already use
num_images.
Cost in practice
At 1K the two cost practically the same. At 2K Nano Banana 2 is about a third more expensive, and at 4K almost twice the price of version 2.1. Four variants on Nano Banana 2 cost four times the rate, the same as four separate requests to 2.1. All rates are on the pricing page.
FAQ
Does Nano Banana 2.1 do 4K?
Yes, at the same price as 1K. Set it with the resolution parameter: 1k, 2k or 4k.
Can Nano Banana 2.1 make several images at once?
No, one request returns one image. Request variants separately, ideally through POST /v1/generate with a webhook_url - details in the docs.
Which one renders text in images better?
I have tested Nano Banana 2 for typography. I haven't tested version 2.1 yet, so for graphics with text run a short test phrase first.
Vendor examples
Nano Banana 2.1
Nano Banana 2
Official examples from the model vendors, not our generations.