Pricing and limits

Is Nano Banana free?

Google changed Gemini's free limits in October 2026, and most guides haven't caught up. Here's what's actually free right now, what isn't, and why you keep seeing "limit reached".

By the Rizz AI team · Updated October 21, 2026

In short

Nano Banana is free in the Gemini app, with limits. Free accounts can create and edit images, but Google publishes no fixed number: usage is compute-based and refreshes every five hours until a weekly cap.

It is not free for developers. On the Gemini API there is no free tier for any Nano Banana model. Nano Banana 2.1 costs about $0.034 per 1K image.

What do free Gemini users get?

On October 9, 2026 Google moved free Gemini accounts to the Flash-Lite chat model. Instead of a daily image count, Gemini now uses compute-based limits: making images, long conversations and advanced models use up your allowance faster. It refreshes every five hours until you reach a weekly cap.

Plan	Price	Usage limits
Free Gemini account	$0	Standard limits, Flash-Lite chat model since Oct 9
Google AI Plus	$4.99/month (US)	2x the standard limits
Google AI Pro	$19.99/month (US)	4x the standard limits
Google AI Ultra	$99.99 or $199.99/month (US)	Highest limits

Reports differ on whether free accounts get Nano Banana 2.1 itself or an older or lighter image model, and Google hasn't said clearly.

Is the Nano Banana API free?

No. Google's Gemini API pricing lists the free tier as "not available" for every Nano Banana model. Standard prices per image:

Nano Banana 2.1: about $0.034 (1K), $0.050 (2K), $0.113 (4K)
Nano Banana 2 Lite: about $0.034 (1K)
Nano Banana 2: $0.067 (1K), $0.101 (2K), $0.151 (4K), shutting down October 29, 2026
Nano Banana Pro: about $0.134 (1K or 2K), $0.24 (4K)

Not sure which to pick? See Nano Banana 2.1 vs Pro.

Why does it say "limit reached"?

You've used this five-hour window's allowance. Wait for the refresh.
Long chats cost more. Start a new chat for each new image idea.
Several edits on large images add up quickly. Get the look right in fewer, clearer prompts.
You may have hit the weekly cap, which only resets at the end of the week.

Easiest ways to try Nano Banana

Gemini app: upload a photo and paste a prompt. Our best Nano Banana 2.1 prompts and Halloween prompts are free to copy.
Rizz AI: a free download that runs Nano Banana 2.1 behind 100+ one-tap styles, so there are no prompts to write and no Gemini limits to manage. Creating photos uses credits from a plan or credit pack.

Skip the limits and the prompts. Upload a selfie and pick a style in Rizz AI. Free to download on iPhone and Android.Try free

FAQ

Is Nano Banana free?

Partly. You can make and edit images in the free Gemini app within Google's usage limits, but there is no fixed number of free images and heavy use needs a paid Google AI plan. Through the Gemini API there is no free tier: Nano Banana 2.1 costs about $0.034 per 1K image.

Is Nano Banana 2.1 free?

Reports differ on whether free Gemini accounts get Nano Banana 2.1 or an older or lighter image model, and Google hasn't stated it clearly. Paid Google AI plans include higher limits. On the API, Nano Banana 2.1 is paid only.

How many free images can I make with Nano Banana per day?

Google no longer publishes a fixed daily number. Since 2026, Gemini uses compute-based limits: image generation, long chats and advanced models use up your allowance faster, and it refreshes every five hours until you reach a weekly cap.

Why does Gemini say I've reached my image limit?

You've used up the compute allowance for the current window. Wait for the five-hour refresh, start a new chat with a shorter prompt, or upgrade to a Google AI plan for two to four times more usage.

When does the Nano Banana limit reset?

Gemini's usage limits refresh every five hours, until you hit the weekly limit for your plan. The weekly limit then resets at the end of the week.

Is Nano Banana Pro free?

Not on the API: Nano Banana Pro costs about $0.134 per 1K or 2K image and $0.24 per 4K image. In the Gemini app, Pro-level features use up your allowance faster and are aimed at paid plans.

Is there a free Nano Banana app?

Rizz AI is a free download for iPhone and Android that runs Nano Banana 2.1 behind 100+ one-tap photo styles. Creating photos uses credits from a plan or credit pack, but you don't need to write prompts or manage Gemini limits.