Yes, the Gemini API has a free tier. Google says new accounts start on the Free Tier, which gives access to certain models in the Gemini API and Google AI Studio up to each model's free rate limits, with free input and output tokens. Not every model is included, rate limits are lower, and Google says content sent on the free tier is used to improve its products.
If you're a developer, a no-code builder or a small business owner wiring Gemini into a chatbot or spreadsheet, the free tier is a real starting point, not a demo. But the details matter: which model you call, how often, and what happens to the data you send.
Everything below comes from Google's own developer documentation, checked in October 2026. Google changes models and limits often, so treat the model names as a snapshot and check the pricing page when you start a new project.
Free tier vs paid tier at a glance
| Free tier | Paid tier | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Developers and small projects getting started | Production applications |
| Models | Limited access to certain models | Google's most advanced models |
| Tokens | Free input and output on supported models | Charged per token |
| Rate limits | The model's free tier limits | Higher limits that grow with spend |
| Your content | Used to improve Google's products | Not used to improve Google's products |
That last row is the one I'd flag to any business. Don't send client data, contracts or anything confidential through the free tier.
Which models are free on the Gemini API
Google's pricing page lists each model with a Free Tier column. As checked in October 2026, Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 2.5 Flash both show free input and output on the free tier. The newest flagship, Gemini 4 Argon, shows the free tier as not available, and so does Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview. Google's open Gemma 4 model is listed as free of charge on the free tier.
So the free tier is generous on established models and closed on the newest ones. If your app needs the latest flagship, plan for the paid tier from day one.
Rate limits and how they work
- Google says rate limits apply per project, not per API key, so creating more keys in the same project doesn't give you more requests.
- Requests per day reset at midnight Pacific time.
- Exceeding any single limit, such as requests per minute, triggers a rate limit error even if you're under the others.
- Your exact limits are shown in Google AI Studio and change as your tier changes.
Google also lists free extras on some models. For example, Gemini 2.5 Flash on the free tier includes Grounding with Google Search, up to 500 requests per day, with that limit shared with Flash-Lite.
How to get a free Gemini API key
- Go to Google AI Studio and sign in with your Google account.
- Create a project, or use the default one AI Studio sets up.
- Create an API key for that project.
- Pick a model that shows free input and output on the pricing page, such as Gemini 2.5 Flash.
- Watch your usage in AI Studio so you know when you're near the limits.
If you want to compare Gemini with other providers that offer free keys, my guide on where to get a free AI API key lists the options side by side.
Free deployment for small apps
There's one more free option many people miss. Google's billing page says eligible accounts can use the Google Cloud Starter Tier to publish up to 2 full-stack applications built in AI Studio's Build mode, without setting up a Google Cloud project or billing account. For a small internal tool or a prototype you want to share, that removes a lot of setup.
Running models locally instead? See how LM Studio compares with Ollama.
What the paid tier adds
Google's pricing page says the paid tier brings higher rate limits for production, access to context caching, the Batch API and Google's most advanced models, and it keeps your content out of product improvement. Paid prices are listed per million tokens and differ by model, and some models show scheduled price changes, so check the live page before you budget.
Developers using the terminal route should read what changed for the Gemini CLI free key.
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Moving from free to paid
Google says that to move from the free tier you set up billing in AI Studio, link a billing account and prepay credits. Once your project qualifies, it moves to Tier 1, and Google says that upgrade usually takes effect instantly. Higher tiers follow automatically as cumulative spend and account age grow. Google also applies spend-based rate limits on a rolling 10-minute window to protect paid accounts from unexpected charges.
Using Gemini from the command line instead? My walkthrough of how to use Gemini CLI covers that route.
My verdict
The Gemini API is free for prototypes, personal tools and low-volume automations on models like Gemini 2.5 Flash and 2.5 Pro. It isn't the right home for client data, because free tier content is used to improve Google's products, and it won't give you the newest flagship model. Build and test free, then move to the paid tier before anything sensitive or customer-facing goes live.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gemini API free to use?
Yes, on the free tier. Google says new accounts get free input and output tokens on certain models, up to each model's free rate limits.
Which Gemini models are free on the API?
Google's pricing page lists free input and output for models such as Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 2.5 Flash. Gemini 4 Argon has no free tier.
Does Google use my Gemini API data on the free tier?
Yes. Google's pricing page says content on the free tier is used to improve its products, while paid tier content isn't.
Are Gemini API rate limits per key or per project?
Per project. Google says rate limits are applied per project, not per API key.
Can I deploy a Gemini app without a billing account?
Google says eligible accounts can use the Google Cloud Starter Tier to publish up to 2 full-stack apps from AI Studio without a billing account.
How do I move from the free tier to paid?
Google says you set up billing in AI Studio, link a billing account and prepay credits, after which the project moves to Tier 1.
When do Gemini API daily limits reset?
Google says requests per day quotas reset at midnight Pacific time.
