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Nano Banana 2.1 AI Image Generator

Google released Nano Banana 2.1 on 6 October 2026: a Gemini 3.6 Flash image model with sharper text, mask-based editing described in plain words, and characters that stay consistent across edits. Write a prompt, add up to 10 reference images and generate at 1K, 2K or 4K.

Gemini

What's new in Nano Banana 2.1

Google positions 2.1 as the everyday model between Nano Banana 2 Lite and Nano Banana Pro. These are the changes over Nano Banana 2.

Sharper realism at every size

Google reports better visual quality and realism across 1K, 2K and 4K output. The 512px tier that Nano Banana 2 offered is gone.

Text and infographics you can read

Text rendering and infographic layout were a headline focus. On Google's infographic accuracy benchmark, 2.1 with thinking scored 0.521 against 0.179 for Nano Banana 2.

Mask editing in plain words

Google calls it semantic masking: describe the area to change, such as "only the jacket" or "just the sky", and the rest of the image stays as it was. No brush selection needed.

Characters and products stay consistent

Faces and products hold up better over several rounds of edits. One request takes up to 14 reference images and keeps up to 4 characters and 10 objects consistent.

Panoramas without tiling

Extreme 1:4, 4:1, 1:8 and 8:1 ratios work at 2K and 4K, and the tiling artifacts Nano Banana 2 showed on very wide or tall images are fixed.

Three thinking levels

Minimal, medium and high thinking trade speed for quality. Medium is the new default; Nano Banana 2 only offered minimal and high.

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana Pro

Specs and Gemini API prices as published at the 2.1 launch on 6 October 2026.

Nano Banana 2.1New
Nano Banana 2
Nano Banana ProPro
Underlying modelGemini 3.6 FlashGemini 3.1 Flash ImageGemini 3 Pro Image
Released6 October 202626 February 202620 November 2025
API price, 1K image$0.0336$0.067$0.134
API price, 4K image$0.0756$0.151$0.24
Output resolutions1K / 2K / 4K512px / 1K / 2K / 4K1K / 2K / 4K
Reference images (Gemini API)Up to 14 (4 characters, 10 objects)Up to 14 (4 characters, 10 objects)Up to 14 (5 characters, 6 objects, 3 style)
Arena text-to-image score at launch1328 (#5 overall)12611248
StatusGoogle's everyday image modelDeprecated in favour of 2.1Google's premium image model

Where you can use Nano Banana 2.1

Google is rolling 2.1 out across its products, so it may take a few days to appear on every account.

Gemini app and AI Mode

Free to try within each plan's daily image limits. In AI Mode in Google Search, tap the banana icon to start.

Google AI Studio and Gemini API

Use the model ID gemini-nano-banana-2.1 and set the thinking level. The API has no free tier for this model.

Google Flow

Available as an image model in Flow, alongside Nano Banana Pro and Nano Banana 2 Lite.

Stitch, Google Ads and Gemini Enterprise

2.1 also powers image generation in Stitch, Google Ads and the Gemini Enterprise Platform.

How to use the generator on this page

  1. 01

    Describe the image

    Write what you want in the prompt box or start from a preset. Put exact wording in quotes so it is rendered as written.

  2. 02

    Add references and pick a size

    Upload up to 10 reference images for characters, products or style, then choose an aspect ratio and 1K, 2K or 4K output.

  3. 03

    Generate and refine

    Generate, then feed the result back as a reference and describe only what should change, such as "make the jacket green".

Nano Banana 2.1 FAQ

Try your next idea on Nano Banana

Start from a preset or your own prompt and get a finished image in seconds.

Open the generatorSee pricing