To use Nano Banana, go to gemini.google.com (or open the Gemini app), click Open Sidebar, then Images, and type a prompt or pick a template. To edit a photo, upload it to the chat and describe the change you want. Nano Banana is Google's image model inside Gemini, and the standard version is free.
Nano Banana is the nickname Google gave its Gemini image model, and it stuck. There's no separate Nano Banana app or website to sign up for. You use it through Gemini, which picks the image model for you based on the Gemini model you've selected. Here's exactly how to make images, edit your own photos and get the best results.
Before you start: what you need
- A Google account, signed in to Gemini.
- To be 13 or over (or your country's minimum age) to generate images.
- To be 18 or over to edit images, including your own uploaded photos.
- A country and language where the Gemini app is available, because image generation follows the same list.
That age split is the thing people miss. If you're under 18, you can create new images but the edit options won't work for you.
Which Nano Banana model will you get?
Google runs three versions, and the one you get depends on the Gemini model you've chosen before you type your request.
| Model | When you get it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana 2 Lite | Gemini set to Flash-Lite | Quick, simple images (not built for multiple references or repeated edits) |
| Nano Banana 2 | Gemini set to Flash or Pro | Most jobs: better text, more world knowledge, multiple reference images |
| Nano Banana Pro | Google AI plan, Gemini set to Pro, using Redo with Pro | Extra detail, especially text-heavy images and infographics |
Google's own overview page also lists Nano Banana 2.1 as its most advanced image model for people on a Google AI plan. On the free version, Google's help page says you can download images at 1K resolution, or 2K with a Google AI plan.
How to create an image with Nano Banana
- Go to gemini.google.com or open the Gemini app.
- Click Open Sidebar at the top left, then Images. In the app you can also choose Create images from the tools menu.
- Pick a template, or type your prompt in the box.
- Press Enter and wait for the image to appear.
- If it isn't right, reply in the same chat with what to change.
Google suggests starting your prompt with draw, generate or create, naming a style (photorealistic, charcoal drawing, watercolour painting, cartoon illustration) and describing the subject, what it's doing and the setting. A simple formula that works: create an image of a subject, doing something, in a place, in a named style, with the aspect ratio you need, such as 2:3.
Copy this prompt
Create an image of a small bakery counter at sunrise, fresh sourdough loaves in wicker baskets, warm window light, photorealistic, aspect ratio 4:5, with the words Open Daily written in chalk on a board.
How to edit your own photo
This is where Nano Banana earns its reputation. You can upload one photo and change part of it, or combine several photos into a new scene.
- In Gemini, click Open Sidebar, then Library, and pick an image, or upload one from your device.
- Under the image, click Chat.
- Type the change in the text box at the bottom, for example: change the background to a beach at sunset and keep my face exactly the same.
- Click Submit.
Be specific about what must stay the same. Nano Banana 2 is built for character consistency, and Google says it can keep the resemblance of up to five characters and up to 14 objects across a single workflow, which is why it's so good for storyboards and product shots in different settings.
How to redo an image with Nano Banana Pro
If you're on a paid Google AI plan and an image needs more detail, make it with Nano Banana 2 first, then click More at the bottom right and choose Redo with Pro. One limit to know: once you've hit your daily quota of Nano Banana 2 images, you can't redo any more with Pro either.
Download, share or export
Hover over the image and click Download full size. To keep working on it in a document, click More under the image, then Export to Docs. Under-18s on a school account can't export to Docs.
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Every image Gemini creates carries an invisible SynthID watermark and a visible one, according to Google. If you want to check whether a picture was made with Google AI, you can upload it to Gemini and ask.
What Nano Banana is good at
- Trying different hairstyles or outfits on a photo of yourself.
- Putting a product into new scenes without a photoshoot.
- Images with readable text, such as posters, invitations and signs.
- Turning notes into diagrams and infographics.
- Translating the text inside an image into another language.
For ready-made ideas, my collection of Nano Banana prompts has edits you can copy straight into Gemini. And if you like talking to Gemini rather than typing, my guide to Gemini Live shows how the voice side works.
My advice
Use the free version for a week before you think about upgrading. Keep one chat per project, so Nano Banana remembers the look you've built, and always tell it what not to change. Most bad edits come from vague prompts like make it better, so name the exact change every time.
Prefer a dedicated image tool? Midjourney's plans are set out in our Midjourney plans guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nano Banana free to use?
Yes. Nano Banana 2 is available for free in Gemini. A Google AI plan adds Nano Banana Pro for redoing images, the newer Nano Banana 2.1 and 2K downloads.
Where do I find Nano Banana in Gemini?
On the web, click Open Sidebar at the top left, then Images. In the Gemini app, choose Create images from the tools menu.
Why can't I edit my photo with Nano Banana?
Editing images isn't available to users under 18. You also need to be signed in, and the feature only works in countries and languages where the Gemini app is available.
Can Nano Banana keep my face the same in every image?
It's designed for that. Google says Nano Banana 2 can keep the resemblance of up to five characters in a single workflow. Tell it clearly to keep your face unchanged.
How do I know if an image was made with Nano Banana?
Google adds an invisible SynthID watermark and a visible watermark. You can upload an image to Gemini and ask whether it was created by Google AI.
