Nano Banana 2.1

Comparison · Nano Banana

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2

Google describes Nano Banana 2.1 as an update to Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image). Both run in this workspace, so you can try the same prompt on each. The Google API prices below are developer list prices, not what you pay here.

Try Nano Banana 2.1

In short

  • Google lists better visual quality and realism, fixed tiling on very wide ratios, and more accurate text and infographic layout as the main changes in 2.1.
  • 2.1 fuses up to 14 reference images (up to 4 characters and 10 objects) and adds Google Web and Image Search grounding and thinking levels.
  • At Google's API list prices, 2.1 image output costs half as much per token as Nano Banana 2, while its input and text/thinking tokens cost more.
  • Here, Nano Banana 2.1 starts at 2 credits, Pro is our 7-credit 4K preset on 2.1, and Nano Banana 2 shows its own quote.

What changed in Nano Banana 2.1

Google's model page for gemini-nano-banana-2.1 lists these updates over Nano Banana 2:

  • Improved visual quality and realism at 1K, 2K and 4K output.
  • Fixed tiling artifacts on wide and panoramic ratios (1:4, 4:1, 1:8 and 8:1) at 2K and 4K.
  • More accurate text rendering and infographic layout.
  • Multi-image fusion with up to 14 reference images: character consistency for up to 4 characters and object fidelity for up to 10 objects.
  • Grounding with Google Web and Image Search.
  • Configurable thinking levels: minimal, medium (the default) and high.

Google API prices side by side

Standard paid tier, US dollars, from Google's Gemini API pricing page, checked on 2026-10-26:

  • Input: Nano Banana 2.1 $1.50 per million tokens (text, image, video); Nano Banana 2 $0.50 (text, image).
  • Text and thinking output: Nano Banana 2.1 $7.50 per million tokens; Nano Banana 2 $3.
  • Image output: Nano Banana 2.1 $30 per million tokens; Nano Banana 2 $60.
  • Per image, Nano Banana 2.1: about $0.0336 at 1K, $0.0504 at 2K and $0.113 at 4K.
  • Per image, Nano Banana 2: about $0.045 at 0.5K, $0.067 at 1K, $0.101 at 2K and $0.151 at 4K.
  • Batch: Nano Banana 2.1 image output $15 per million tokens; Nano Banana 2 $30.

When 2.1 costs less at the API

Nano Banana 2.1 halves the image-output token price, so Google's per-image figures for 2.1 are lower at 1K, 2K and 4K. Input and text or thinking tokens go the other way: they cost three times and two and a half times as much on 2.1. Requests with many reference images, long prompts or higher thinking levels pay more on those tokens, so check your own token usage before assuming a saving.

None of these figures is a price in this workspace.

What you can use in this workspace

  • Nano Banana 2.1: text to image at 1K, 2K or 4K, with 2K selected by default, from 2 credits.
  • Nano Banana 2.1 Edit: 1 to 14 reference images, from 2 credits.
  • Nano Banana 2.1 Pro: our fixed 4K preset on the same model for 7 credits, not a separate Google model.
  • Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro: still in the selector, each with its own credit quote.
  • Search grounding and thinking-level controls are not exposed here.

Compare them on your own prompt

  1. Pick one prompt with a detail you care about, such as quoted text on a sign or a wide 16:9 scene.
  2. Run it on Nano Banana 2.1 at 2K, then on Nano Banana 2 at the same size and ratio.
  3. Compare at full size: lettering, edges and small objects. Each run shows its credit quote before you submit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nano Banana 2.1 a new model or an update?

Google describes it as an update to Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) with its own model code, gemini-nano-banana-2.1.

Is Nano Banana 2.1 Pro a Google model?

No. Pro is this workspace's 7-credit 4K preset on Nano Banana 2.1. Google's separate Pro model is Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image).

Do Google's API prices apply here?

No. This workspace charges credits. Nano Banana 2.1 starts at 2 credits and every run shows its quote before you submit.

Can I still use Nano Banana 2?

Yes. Nano Banana 2 and its edit route remain in the model selector.

Can I turn on Search grounding or choose a thinking level?

Not in this workspace. Google offers both in its API, but they are not exposed here.

Sources

Updated 2026-10-26. Independent workspace, not affiliated with Google. Pro is our 4K preset on the same model. Prices are shown before submission.