Comparison · Images
Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2
Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2: version 2.1 costs the same at 1K, 2K and 4K, one image per call. Nano Banana 2 adds 0.5K and four variants per request.
What each one accepts
| 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 |
Rates and clip costs
| 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 |
Charged from a prepaid USD balance, no taxes added. A failed generation is $0.
The case for Nano Banana 2.1 is resolution: a 4K image costs exactly what a 1K image does, while Nano Banana 2 gets more expensive at every step up. Nano Banana 2 still wins when you want a batch of variants from one call or a quick 0.5K sketch.
When to pick Nano Banana 2.1
- You deliver at 2K or 4K, for print or large banners.
- You edit photos and want the result to keep the source framing (
auto, the default). - Your script already sends one request per image.
When to pick Nano Banana 2
- You want up to four thumbnail candidates in one pass.
- You sketch at 0.5K before choosing a direction.
- An existing integration already relies on
num_images.
Differences you will notice
- Price. Nano Banana 2.1 costs $0.0699 per image at every resolution. Nano Banana 2 costs from $0.07 per image at 1K, roughly a third more at 2K and close to double version 2.1 at 4K. At 1K they are practically even.
- Resolution. 2.1 has 1K, 2K and 4K. Nano Banana 2 adds a 0.5K tier.
- Per request. 2.1 returns one image. Nano Banana 2 returns up to four, each billed, so four variants cost the same as four 2.1 requests at 1K.
- Formats and references. Both have 14 ratios from 8:1 to 1:8 and accept up to 14 references. Only 2.1 has
auto.
How to decide
- Anything at 2K or 4K: Nano Banana 2.1.
- Several variants per call, or 0.5K drafts: Nano Banana 2.
- 1K single images: either, the cost is the same.
Rates are on the pricing page.
Questions
How do I ask Nano Banana 2.1 for 4K?
Set resolution to 4k. The other values are 1k and 2k, all at the same rate.
What is the simplest way to get many images from 2.1?
Send one task per image to POST /v1/generate with a webhook_url, so results arrive at your server as they finish. See the generate docs.
Has 2.1 been checked for in-image text?
Not by me yet. My typography tests cover Nano Banana 2, so try a short phrase in 2.1 before a large text-heavy job.
Samples from the makers
Nano Banana 2.1
Nano Banana 2
These clips and images come from the vendors, not from my runs.