The short answer
- Nano Banana 2 is Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash Image model. It is the fast, low-cost option for ad creatives, with 4K output, legible text and up to 14 reference images.
- Google's docs now recommend Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1) for new projects. Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image) is the premium model for complex, text-heavy work.
- As listed on Google's pricing page on November 9, 2026: $0.067 per 1K image on Nano Banana 2, $0.134 on Nano Banana Pro, $0.039 on the original Nano Banana.
- Run volume variants on 2 or 2.1 and finals on Pro. Generate every placement size in one pass.
Nano Banana vs Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana Pro
Nano Banana is Google's name for Gemini's native image generation. Google's Gemini API documentation lists five models under that name. Four of them matter for ads.
| Name | Model | What Google says it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana 2.1 | gemini-nano-banana-2.1 | An update to Nano Banana 2. The primary high-efficiency model for generation and conversational editing, with better text rendering and multi-turn consistency at 1K, 2K and 4K. |
| Nano Banana 2 | gemini-3.1-flash-image (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) | The previous-generation workhorse. Optimized for speed, 4K output and multiple reference image consistency. |
| Nano Banana 2 Lite | gemini-3.1-flash-lite-image | The fastest and cheapest model. Not optimized for multiple reference inputs or multi-turn editing. |
| Nano Banana Pro | gemini-3-pro-image (Gemini 3 Pro Image) | The premium choice for complex tasks. Uses reasoning to follow instructions, keep brand consistency and render high-fidelity text. |
| Nano Banana | gemini-2.5-flash-image | The original. Deprecated, with a shutdown date of March 15, 2027. |
The queries "nano banana 2" and "nano banana pro vs nano banana 2" are really one question: do you pay for reasoning or for speed? Google's docs frame it that way. The Flash models are built for speed and high volume. Pro is built for professional asset production.
What each model costs per image
Prices below are as listed on Google's Gemini API pricing page on November 9, 2026, standard tier, per generated image.
| Model | 1K | 2K | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana 2.1 | $0.0336 | $0.0504 | $0.113 |
| Nano Banana 2 | $0.067 | $0.101 | $0.151 |
| Nano Banana Pro | $0.134 | $0.134 | $0.24 |
| Nano Banana (original) | $0.039 per image | not listed | not listed |
Worked example: a test with 50 ad variants at 2K costs about $2.52 on Nano Banana 2.1, $5.05 on Nano Banana 2 and $6.70 on Nano Banana Pro. Image generation is rarely the expensive part of an ad test. Ad spend and review time are. The practical rule is to pay for Pro only on the images where a wrong word or a drifting logo would cost you.
What the Nano Banana models do well for ads
- Text in the image. Google lists legible, stylized text for infographics, menus, diagrams and marketing assets as a core capability. Offer badges, price tags and short headlines are in range.
- Reference images. Up to 14 per prompt. On Nano Banana 2 and 2.1, that can be up to 10 images of objects plus up to 4 characters. On Pro it is up to 6 objects, up to 5 characters and up to 3 style references. Feed your product shots and a brand style reference and the output stays close to them.
- Placement-ready ratios. Nano Banana 2 and 2.1 add 1:4, 4:1, 1:8 and 8:1 aspect ratios on top of the standard set. Tall skyscraper and wide banner units no longer need a crop.
- Resolution. 1K, 2K and 4K output. Nano Banana 2 also offers a 512px size for cheap drafts.
- Search grounding. Nano Banana 2 and 2.1 can ground an image in Google Search results, useful for seasonal or event-based creative that has to match real details.
- Conversational editing. You ask for a change in plain language and the model edits the previous image instead of starting over.
When to use Nano Banana 2 and when to use Pro
| Job | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 50 background and angle variants of one product | Nano Banana 2.1 or 2 | Cost per image is a fraction of Pro and the reference-image limit is higher for objects. |
| Resizing one winner to every placement | Nano Banana 2 | Wide ratios up to 8:1 and 1:8 are supported. |
| Hero image with a headline and a legal line | Nano Banana Pro | Google positions Pro for high-fidelity text and complex instructions. |
| Brand guideline images with a fixed style | Nano Banana Pro | Style reference images are supported on Pro. |
| Throwaway concept drafts | Nano Banana 2 Lite | Cheapest and fastest, but weaker on references and multi-turn edits. |
A worked example: one product, five placements
Take a ceramic pour-over coffee set. Upload two product photos as references and keep the product description identical across prompts. Change only the scene and the ratio.
- Feed, 4:5. "Ceramic pour-over set on a sunlit kitchen counter, steam rising, soft morning light, product centered, leave the top fifth empty for a headline."
- Story, 9:16. "Same product on a wooden tray beside an open window, vertical composition, empty space at the top and bottom for text overlays."
- Square, 1:1. "Close-up of coffee pouring through the dripper, shallow depth of field, product logo visible and unchanged."
- Wide banner, 4:1. "Product on the right third of the frame, plain warm background on the left for copy."
- Text hero, 4:5, Pro. "Product on a white surface with the headline 'Brew slower.' in bold sans-serif at the top, and a small badge reading 'Ships free over $50' at the bottom left."
The first four run on Nano Banana 2.1. Only the fifth, which carries text, runs on Pro. Check the product shape, logo and every character of text in each output before it goes anywhere near an ad account. If you need more prompt patterns, see Nano Banana prompts for product ads.
What to check before using the images
- Text accuracy. Read every word on every image. Text rendering is much better than older models, but a misspelled offer is an expensive ad.
- Product fidelity. Compare the label, color and proportions to the real product. Multi-turn edits can drift, which is why Lite is a poor fit for iterative work.
- Watermark. Google states that all Nano Banana images include a SynthID watermark. It is invisible and does not alter the image.
- Model churn. Google deprecated the original model, with a shutdown on March 15, 2027, and now recommends 2.1 over 2. Pin the model ID you tested and recheck the docs when you plan a new campaign.
Other image models for ads
Nano Banana is not the only strong option. OpenAI's image models handle text and edits well; see GPT Image 2 for product ads for the comparison. Flux Kontext is the pick for in-place product photo edits; see Flux Kontext for product photos. Once a still wins, animate it with one of the tools in best image to video AI generators for ads.
Where Sprites fits
Sprites makes image ads and ad copy in chat from your product and brand, then holds every ad for your approval before it goes live in Google or Meta. You do not pick the model or manage prompts. See the AI static ad generator for how it works.
Plans start at Build, $99 a month, with a 7-day trial for $1. See pricing.
FAQ
What is Nano Banana 2?
Nano Banana 2 is Google's name for Gemini 3.1 Flash Image (gemini-3.1-flash-image), a fast image generation and editing model in the Gemini API. Google's docs list it as a high-efficiency workhorse model with 4K output and support for multiple reference images. Google now recommends Nano Banana 2.1 for new projects.
What is the difference between Nano Banana, Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro?
Nano Banana is Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, the original and now deprecated model. Nano Banana 2 is Gemini 3.1 Flash Image, a faster and cheaper model with 4K output. Nano Banana Pro is Gemini 3 Pro Image, the premium model that uses reasoning to follow complex instructions and render text, at roughly two to four times the price per image.
Is Nano Banana 2 good for ad creatives?
Yes, for volume work. It renders legible text, takes up to 14 reference images and supports tall and wide aspect ratios such as 4:1 and 1:8, which covers most ad placements. For hero images with dense text or strict brand rules, Google positions Nano Banana Pro as the stronger choice.
How much does Nano Banana 2 cost per image?
As listed on Google's Gemini API pricing page on November 9, 2026, Nano Banana 2 costs $0.067 per 1K image, $0.101 per 2K image and $0.151 per 4K image. Nano Banana Pro costs $0.134 per 1K or 2K image and $0.24 per 4K image. The original Nano Banana costs $0.039 per image.
Does Nano Banana add a watermark to ad images?
Google's documentation states that all images generated with Nano Banana models include a SynthID watermark. SynthID is invisible to viewers and does not change how the image looks in an ad.
Which Nano Banana model should I use for Meta and TikTok ads?
Use Nano Banana 2.1 or Nano Banana 2 for the bulk of your variants: backgrounds, angles, lifestyle scenes and resizes. Switch to Nano Banana Pro for the few finals that carry a lot of copy or must match brand guidelines exactly. Generate 9:16 for Stories and Reels placements and 1:1 or 4:5 for feed.