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Google (Gemini image family)

Nano Banana 2.1 — Google's new image generator and editor

Nano Banana 2.1 is Google's latest Nano Banana image model, released on 6 October 2026 as an update to Nano Banana 2. It generates and edits images at 1K, 2K or 4K with cleaner text and infographics, and up to 14 reference images. Try it here on real prompts.

Model ID
gemini-nano-banana-2.1
Released
6 October 2026
Resolution
1K, 2K or 4K
Aspect ratios
1:1, 3:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9, 1:4, 4:1, 1:8, 8:1
References
Up to 14 images (4 characters, 10 objects)
Search grounding
Google Web and Image Search (web search on Kenerate)
Try
  • Nano Banana 2.1
Nano Banana 2.1 launch: a woman in a yellow dress among bananas
  • Real outputs
  • Official sources
  • Free to start
  • No watermark

Updated by the

Made with Kenerate

What is Nano Banana 2.1?

Updated

What is Nano Banana 2.1?

Nano Banana 2.1 (model ID `gemini-nano-banana-2.1`) is Google's latest image generation and editing model, released on 6 October 2026 as an update to Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image). Google cites better quality at 1K, 2K and 4K, cleaner text and infographics, and up to 14 reference images. It runs on Kenerate AI in Image Studio and Edit Studio.

Key facts

Maker
Google
Model ID
gemini-nano-banana-2.1
Release date
6 October 2026 (generally available)
Builds on
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)
Resolutions
1K · 2K · 4K
Aspect ratios
14 on Kenerate, from 1:8 to 8:1
References
Up to 14 images
Grounding
Google Web and Image Search

Gallery

Nano Banana 2.1 examples

Real outputs made on Kenerate. Open any image to copy its prompt and run it yourself.

Real clips

Nano Banana 2.1 outputs, in motion

Before ↔ after loops of real edits, and stills animated with Wan 3.0 in /app/video. Each plays muted when it scrolls into view.

Same prompt

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2 vs GPT Image 2 vs Seedream 5.0 Pro

The same prompt on four closed models in /app/image.

PromptPortrait of a female knight in ornate silver armor holding a sword, castle background, detailed, soft light

  • Nano Banana 2.1: Portrait of a female knight in ornate silver armor holding a sword, castle background, detailed, soft lightNano Banana 2.1Google · new
  • Nano Banana 2: Portrait of a female knight in ornate silver armor holding a sword, castle background, detailed, soft lightNano Banana 2Google
  • GPT Image 2: Portrait of a female knight in ornate silver armor holding a sword, castle background, detailed, soft lightGPT Image 2OpenAI · medium
  • Seedream 5.0 Pro: Portrait of a female knight in ornate silver armor holding a sword, castle background, detailed, soft lightSeedream 5.0 ProByteDance · 2K

Sourced comparison

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana Pro

Only what Google's own pages say, plus what each one does on Kenerate. Google has published no head-to-head benchmark, so there is no "winner" row.

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana Pro — checked 7 October 2026
Nano Banana 2.1Nano Banana 2Nano Banana Pro
Google modelgemini-nano-banana-2.1Gemini 3.1 Flash ImageGemini 3 Pro Image
What it isLatest high-efficiency image generation and editing modelThe model 2.1 updatesPro model; 2.1 is its efficient counterpart
Release6 Oct 2026, generally availableBefore 2.1Before 2.1
New in 2.1Better quality at 1K/2K/4K, no tiling on wide ratios, better text and infographics——
Reference imagesUp to 14 (4 characters, 10 objects)Up to 14 on KenerateSee Google's docs
Search groundingGoogle Web and Image SearchWeb and image search on KenerateSee Google's docs
On KenerateYes: 1K/2K/4K, 14 ratios, web searchYes: 1K, plus 2 FastNo: Not offered

Sources: Google AI for Developers — Gemini API docs: Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1) · Google on X — "Meet Nano Banana 2.1" (6 Oct 2026) · Google — Nano Banana 2 announcement (the model 2.1 updates)

Models

Nano Banana 2.1 on Kenerate

Every version in the generator, and what each is good at.

  • Google

    Nano Banana 2.1

    Reference images
    Up to 14
    Output
    1K · 2K · 4K

    Newest — cleaner text, 14 ratios, web search

    Open Nano Banana 2.1
  • Nano Banana 2 title card — many reference images

    Google

    Nano Banana 2

    Reference images
    Up to 14
    Output
    1K

    Text, edits, many references

    Open Nano Banana 2
  • Nano Banana 2 Fast title card — a quick vibrant pop-art product shot of a sneaker bursting from a banana-yellow backdrop with speed lines

    Google

    Nano Banana 2 Fast

    Reference images
    Up to 14
    Output
    1536 px

    Faster, cheaper drafts

    Open Nano Banana 2 Fast

From our tests

Strengths and limits

Nano Banana 2.1 keeps Google's content filter, so explicit prompts are refused. For adult art, use open models on

Good at

  • Real 1K, 2K and 4K output — pick the size per image (the cobalt-suit editorial is 4K).
  • 14 aspect ratios, including 4:1 and 8:1 banners and 1:4 / 1:8 tall strips (see the 8:1 lake header).
  • Text that reads: 'BLUE NOTE NIGHTS' and all five steps of '5 Steps to Better Sleep' came out as written.
  • Edits with up to 14 reference images that keep faces, products and the rest of the photo (see the six edits).
  • Optional web search for images that need real-world facts, like the solar-system infographic.

Limits

  • Small text it adds on its own can slip — our jazz poster printed 'FEATURING' twice. Check every word before you publish.
  • 2K, 4K and web search cost more per image than 1K; the exact cost shows before you generate.
  • Not on Kenerate's free plan: the 25 sign-up credits or any credit pack unlock it.
  • Closed model: Google's content filter applies and may refuse some prompts.

How to

How to use Nano Banana 2.1 on Kenerate

  1. Step 1

    Open Nano Banana 2.1

    Pick it in /app/image (it's in the Nano Banana family). New accounts get free credits; any credit pack unlocks it.

  2. Step 2

    Choose ratio and size

    Pick one of 14 ratios and 1K, 2K or 4K. Turn on web search when the image needs real facts.

  3. Step 3

    Write the prompt

    Put exact text in quotes and say where it goes. To edit, add up to 14 reference images and say which gives what.

  4. Step 4

    Download

    No watermark, commercial use included. Animate it next in /app/video if you want a clip.

1Describe your image2Pick an image model3Set the aspect ratio and size4Click Create5Open and download your image
Kenerate AI Image Studio with a text prompt typed into the prompt box

Open Image Studio and type what you want to see — subject, style, lighting and mood.

1 / 5 · Describe your image

Watch the tour · 1:23

Prompts, styles, references, edit, Arena & chat

Chapters

Nano Banana guides

More on Nano Banana

Prompts with real outputs, photo edits, video and the honest answer on free access.

FAQ

Nano Banana 2.1 questions

Is Nano Banana 2.1 released?

Yes. Google announced Nano Banana 2.1 on X as "our latest image generation and editing model", and Google Cloud lists it as generally available. It is rolling out in the Gemini app, AI Mode in Search, Google AI Studio, Flow, Stitch, Google Ads and Gemini Enterprise. On Kenerate AI it is live in Image Studio and Edit Studio.

Link to this answer

When was Nano Banana 2.1 released?

Google Cloud lists the release date of Nano Banana 2.1 as 6 October 2026, the same day Google announced it on X. Some articles written before that still say it has no release date; they are out of date.

Link to this answer

What is Nano Banana?

Nano Banana is the name Google uses for its Gemini image generation and editing models. Nano Banana 2 is Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, Nano Banana Pro is Gemini 3 Pro Image, and Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1) is the latest high-efficiency version, released on 6 October 2026.

Link to this answer

What's the difference between Nano Banana 2.1 and Nano Banana 2?

Nano Banana 2.1 is an update to Nano Banana 2. Google's docs list improved visual quality and realism at 1K, 2K and 4K, fixed tiling artifacts on wide and panoramic aspect ratios, and better text rendering and infographic layout; Google's post adds leaps in visual design, mask-based editing and subject consistency. On Kenerate, 2.1 also adds 2K/4K output and 14 aspect ratios, while Nano Banana 2 returns 1K.

Link to this answer

Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana Pro — which is better?

They are different tiers. Google's docs describe Nano Banana 2.1 as the efficient counterpart to Gemini 3 Pro Image (Nano Banana Pro). Google says 2.1 outperforms its previous models across the board, but it does not publish a head-to-head benchmark against Pro, so we don't claim one. Nano Banana Pro is not available on Kenerate; Nano Banana 2.1 is.

Link to this answer

Is Nano Banana 2.1 the same as Gemini 3.1 Flash Image?

Not exactly. Gemini 3.1 Flash Image is Nano Banana 2. Google's docs call Nano Banana 2.1 "an update to Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)", with its own model ID, gemini-nano-banana-2.1.

Link to this answer

Does Nano Banana 2.1 support 4K?

Yes. Google's docs list improved quality at 1K, 2K and 4K. On Kenerate you choose 1K, 2K or 4K for each image in /app/image; our cobalt-suit fashion editorial and the yellow trench-coat portrait on this page are 4K outputs.

Link to this answer

Does Nano Banana 2.1 have an API?

Yes. Google offers it in the Gemini API and Google AI Studio under the model ID gemini-nano-banana-2.1, taking text, image, video and PDF input and returning images and text. If you'd rather not write code, Kenerate AI runs it in the browser.

Link to this answer

Is Nano Banana 2.1 free?

Google is rolling it out in the Gemini app, where Nano Banana can be tried for free within usage limits. On Kenerate it is not on the free plan: every new account gets 25 free credits, enough to try it, and any one-time credit pack unlocks it. Credits never expire. See our page on using Nano Banana for free.

Link to this answer

How do I use Nano Banana 2.1?

Open /app/image, pick Nano Banana 2.1, choose a ratio and 1K, 2K or 4K, write the prompt (exact text in quotes) and generate. To edit, upload a photo or up to 14 references and describe the change. Our prompt library has 26 prompts with their real outputs that you can open in one click.

Link to this answer

Can Nano Banana make videos?

No — Nano Banana outputs images and text. On Kenerate you make the still with Nano Banana 2.1 and animate it with an image-to-video model such as Wan 3.0, Seedance or Kling in /app/video. Our Nano Banana video page shows six such clips.

Link to this answer

In depth

Nano Banana 2.1, in depth

Background, how to prompt it, and when to pick something else.

On this page

What's new in Nano Banana 2.1 (from Google's docs)

Google calls Nano Banana 2.1 "the latest high-efficiency image generation and conversational editing model" and an update to Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) [1]. Its announcement says it "outperforms our previous models across the board", with notable leaps in visual design, mask-based editing and subject consistency [2]. The docs list [1]:

  • Improved visual quality and realism across 1K, 2K and 4K.
  • Fixed tiling artifacts on wide and panoramic aspect ratios.
  • Better 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.
  • Search grounding with Google Web and Image Search.
  • Configurable thinking levels: minimal, medium (the default) and high.
  • Text, image, video and PDF in; image and text out.

Keep going

More models

Sources

Where these facts come from

Model facts are Google's; Kenerate specs are from our own generator. Checked 7 October 2026.

  1. Google AI for Developers — Gemini API docs: Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1)
  2. Google on X — "Meet Nano Banana 2.1" (6 Oct 2026)
  3. Google — Nano Banana 2 announcement (the model 2.1 updates)

By Last updated and reviewed

We run these models in the Kenerate generator. Model facts come from the makers' own pages; specs and limits were checked against our code; the examples are our own outputs.

Sources: Google AI for Developers — Gemini API docs: Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1) · Google on X — "Meet Nano Banana 2.1" (6 Oct 2026) · Google — Nano Banana 2 announcement (the model 2.1 updates)

Try Nano Banana 2.1

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Try Nano Banana 2.1

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