Google Nano Banana 2.1 Guide

Nano Banana 2.1 is Google’s image generation and editing model, released on October 6, 2026. It belongs to the Gemini 3 series and runs on Gemini 3.6 Flash.

Unlike a simple image generator, it can:

• Create and edit images with pro-level precision
• Render legible text for posters, diagrams, and infographics
• Render text in several languages
• Keep characters and products consistent across a series
• Take up to 14 reference images
• Edit just the area you mark
• Pull from Google Search for real-world accuracy
• Think before drawing on harder prompts

It grasps what you mean, not only what you type.

Gemini app

Create and edit images right in chat

Search AI Mode

Generate images inside Google Search itself

Google Flow

Google’s AI tool for filmmaking and creative work

Google Stitch

Google’s AI tool for interface design

Google Ads

Build ad creative directly in Ads

Google AI Studio and Gemini API

Built for developers and automation

Resolution

1K, 2K, and 4K

Aspect ratios

Anywhere from 1:1 to ultra-wide 8:1

References

As many as 14 reference images

Consistency

As many as 4 characters and 10 objects

Context

Up to 1 million input tokens, according to Google

Knowledge

Most domains through March 2026

In Google’s own human-preference tests against Gemini 3.1 Flash, Nano Banana 2.1 scored higher for:

• Overall image preference
• Infographic layout and factual accuracy
• General editing
• Single- and multi-character consistency
• Mask and ink-based editing

Thinking mode beat no-thinking mode on every measure. These are Google’s own evaluations, so test the model on your own work.

Write the prompt like a creative brief:

• Subject: who or what appears
• Action: what is happening
• Setting: where and when
• Style: photo, illustration, 3D, or flat design
• Composition: angle, framing, and layout
• Lighting and color: mood and palette
• Text: the exact words, in quotes
• Format: aspect ratio plus resolution

A flat-style infographic titled “5 Habits of Focused Teams”, with five numbered cards in a grid, navy and white, clean sans-serif text, 4:5, 2K.

• Put the exact wording in quotes
• Keep headlines brief
• Name a font style, such as bold sans-serif
• Choose 2K or 4K for small text
• Proofread every word

Google notes that small text can blur at 1K, and long paragraphs remain a weak spot. Add long copy in a design tool afterward.

• Upload sharp reference images
• Give each character or product a name
• Spell out what must not change
• Change only one thing per edit
• Reuse the same references for the whole series

Consistency is strong, not perfect. Compare every output against your references.

Mark or describe exactly which area to change:

• Swap a background
• Recolor a product
• Remove an object
• Add an element in one spot
• Restyle the entire image

Google flags partial instruction following in mask-based edits and occasional left-right mix-ups. Be explicit and check every result.

Nano Banana 2.1 can draw on Google Search and Image Search to ground images in real information, such as landmarks, products, or current data for infographics.

Verify facts, numbers, and logos yourself before you publish.

Thinking lets the model plan before it generates. Raise thinking for complex layouts, infographics, and multi-character scenes, and lower it for quick drafts.

1K image

$0.0336

2K image

$0.0504

4K image

$0.113

Batch

Roughly 50% off these rates

Text input

$1.50 for every million tokens

Image prices run about half those of Nano Banana 2, but input costs more. Google’s deprecation page lists no shutdown date for Nano Banana 2 as of October 2026. Confirm on Google’s pricing and deprecation pages before you plan.

• Small text and long paragraphs can come out unclear
• Character consistency can drift
• Masked edits can skip instructions
• Left and right can get swapped
• Invented details can still appear
• 3D reasoning and world knowledge stay limited
• Generation can be slow or time out

• Know that Google marks generated images with SynthID watermarks and Content Credentials
• Never create misleading images of real people or events
• Respect trademarks and copyrights
• Disclose AI-generated images wherever platforms or laws require it
• Follow Google’s generative AI use policy

• “A clean product shot of [product] on white marble, soft daylight, 1:1, 4K.”
• “Turn this sketch into a polished flat illustration in navy and orange.”
• “Design a poster titled “[title]” with the date “[date]”, bold sans-serif, 2:3.”
• “Replace only the background with a modern office. Leave the person unchanged.”
• “Use these three photos of my character to show her reading in a café.”
• “An infographic that explains [topic] in four steps, with icons, 4:5.”
• “A panoramic 8:1 banner of a city skyline at dusk, for a website header.”
• “Make the jacket dark green. Leave everything else as it is.”
• “Translate this poster’s text into Spanish and keep the layout.”
• “Show this product in three settings: kitchen, office, and outdoors.”

Create a [type of image] for [purpose and audience]. Subject: [subject]. Setting: [setting]. Style: [style]. Colors: [colors]. Composition: [layout or camera angle]. Text: “[exact text]” set in [font style]. Work from these references: [describe uploads] and keep [what must stay the same]. Format: [aspect ratio], [resolution]. Avoid: [things to avoid].