> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.laozhang.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Nano Banana 2.1 API launch and pricing

> Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1) is live on LaoZhang API at one per-call price for 1K to 4K. See what changed from Nano Banana 2 and how to switch.

LaoZhang API now serves Google's Nano Banana 2.1 (`gemini-nano-banana-2.1`) at \$0.045 per call, the same price for 1K, 2K, and 4K. It updates Nano Banana 2 with better text and infographic layouts and costs \$0.01 less per call, so existing Nano Banana 2 code switches by changing the model ID.

* **Published**: October 7, 2026
* **Last verified**: October 7, 2026
* **Status**: Active. The model is available in the `default` token group.

## Key facts

| Item | Details |
| - | - |
| Model ID | `gemini-nano-banana-2.1` |
| Price | \$0.045 per call, whatever the output size, thinking level, or number of references |
| Price source | Public pricing as of October 7, 2026; see the [model and pricing catalog](/en/models) |
| Token | `default` group, billing mode Usage first (按量优先, recommended) or Per-call (按次计费) |
| Endpoints | Gemini-native `POST /v1beta/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1:generateContent`, or OpenAI-compatible `POST /v1/chat/completions` |
| Output sizes | `1K` (default), `2K`, `4K`; `512` isn't supported |
| Aspect ratios | 14, the same as Nano Banana 2 |
| Reference images | Up to 14: 10 object images and 4 character images |
| Thinking levels | `minimal`, `medium` (default), `high` |
| Search grounding | Web search and image search |

## What changed from Nano Banana 2

| | Nano Banana 2.1 | Nano Banana 2 |
| - | - | - |
| Price per call | \$0.045 | \$0.055 |
| Output sizes | 1K to 4K | 512px to 4K |
| Default thinking level | `medium` | `minimal` |
| Ratios, references, grounding | Same | Same |

According to Google's [model page](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1), Nano Banana 2.1 improves on Nano Banana 2 in three areas:

* More accurate text rendering and infographic layouts
* Consistency for up to 4 characters and 10 objects across multi-turn edits
* No more tiling artifacts on wide and panoramic ratios such as `1:4`, `4:1`, `1:8`, and `8:1`

## Who should care

* **New projects**: start with Nano Banana 2.1. Every size from 1K to 4K costs \$0.045 per call.
* **Existing Nano Banana 2 integrations**: nothing changes. `gemini-3.1-flash-image` stays available at the same price. Switch when you want the lower price or better text.
* **512px output**: stay on Nano Banana 2; Nano Banana 2.1 doesn't accept `512`.
* **1K drafts at the lowest price**: Nano Banana 2 Lite, at \$0.025 per call, is still the cheapest model in the family.

## What to do

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check your token">
    Use a `default`-group token with the Usage first (recommended) or Per-call billing mode. Any token that already calls Nano Banana 2 can call Nano Banana 2.1.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Change the model ID">
    On the Gemini-native route, put `gemini-nano-banana-2.1` in the URL. On the OpenAI-compatible route, set `model`. The request body and response parsing stay the same.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check two settings">
    Change any `"imageSize": "512"` to `1K`, or the request returns HTTP 400. Without a thinking level, the model thinks at `medium`; for faster images, send `"thinkingConfig": {"thinkingLevel": "minimal"}`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Request example

Generate a 16:9 image at 2K and save it with `jq` (version 1.6 or later):

```bash theme={null}
export LAOZHANG_API_KEY="sk-..."  # replace with your LaoZhang API key

curl --fail-with-body --max-time 300 \
  "https://api.laozhang.ai/v1beta/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1:generateContent" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LAOZHANG_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "contents": [{
      "role": "user",
      "parts": [{"text": "Generate an image of a corner cafe after rain at dusk, warm light on the wet pavement, with a neon sign that reads \"BANANA CAFE\"."}]
    }],
    "generationConfig": {
      "responseModalities": ["IMAGE"],
      "imageConfig": {"aspectRatio": "16:9", "imageSize": "2K"}
    }
  }' \
  -o nb21.json

jq -r '[.candidates[0].content.parts[] | select(.inlineData and (.thought | not))][-1].inlineData.data' nb21.json \
  | base64 --decode > nb21.jpg
```

* Images usually come back as JPEG; read `inlineData.mimeType` to be sure of the format.
* For editing, multiple references, search grounding, and the OpenAI-compatible route, see the [Nano Banana 2.1 guide](/en/api-capabilities/nano-banana-2-1-image).

## FAQ

### How much cheaper is Nano Banana 2.1 than Nano Banana 2?

\$0.01 per call: Nano Banana 2.1 costs \$0.045 and Nano Banana 2 costs \$0.055. Both bill per call, so a 1K and a 4K image cost the same. [Call logs](/en/faq/call-logs) show the actual charge.

### Is Nano Banana 2 being retired?

Not with this launch. `gemini-3.1-flash-image` stays available at the same price, and any shutdown would get its own announcement.

### Does a 4K image also cost \$0.045?

Yes. On LaoZhang API, Nano Banana models bill per call only, so neither output size nor thinking level changes the price. Google bills by tokens, about \$0.113 for a 4K image, according to its [pricing page](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/pricing).

### Why does `512` return HTTP 400?

Nano Banana 2.1 accepts only `1K`, `2K`, and `4K`, and requests rejected for invalid parameters aren't charged. Use Nano Banana 2 for 512px images.

### Can I call it through the OpenAI-compatible route?

Yes, set `model` to `gemini-nano-banana-2.1`. That route can't set the ratio or size: it returns a 1K image in a frame the model picks from the prompt. For a fixed ratio or 2K and 4K, use the Gemini-native route.

## Sources and related pages

* [Nano Banana 2.1 guide](/en/api-capabilities/nano-banana-2-1-image): parameters, generation and editing examples, errors, and billing
* [Nano Banana overview](/en/api-capabilities/nano-banana-image): compare the five models, the two protocols, and billing rules
* [Choose an image API](/en/api-capabilities/image-generation-guide): compare with GPT Image, Seedream, and FLUX.2
* [Model and pricing catalog](/en/models): current prices and token groups
* [Console pricing](https://api.laozhang.ai/account/pricing): sign in to see the models and prices for your tokens
* [Google: Gemini Nano Banana 2.1](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models/gemini-nano-banana-2.1): official capabilities and limits
* [Google: Gemini API pricing](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/pricing): Google's token-based prices


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