Gemini makes music with Lyria, Google's AI music generator: click Upload & tools, then Create music, describe the track, and Gemini writes the music and the lyrics. As of October 2026 you need to be 18 or over, signed in and have Keep Activity on, and you have to switch the model to Pro to create a full track.
That Pro switch is the step people skip. Google's help page flags it as an important note before the steps even start, so set the model first and write your prompt second.
Before you start: three requirements
- Age: you must be 18 or over.
- Account: you need to be signed in with a personal Google Account or a supported work or school account.
- Activity: Keep Activity has to be on.
That last one is a trade-off worth thinking about. Keep Activity means your Gemini activity is saved to your account. If you'd rather tidy it up afterwards, here's how to delete your Gemini history.
Make a track step by step
- If you want a full-length track, switch the model to Pro first.
- On your computer, go to gemini.google.com, or open the Gemini app.
- At the bottom of the text box, click Upload & tools, then Create music.
- Optional: upload images or videos to give Gemini context, such as a product clip you want the music to match.
- Enter your prompt describing the track.
- Optional: use the drop-downs to set the length, vocals and genre, then send it.
The options in the drop-downs
| Option | Choices | When I'd use it |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Short (about 1 minute) or full (about 2 to 3 minutes, needs the Pro model) | Short for intros and social clips, full for a background track |
| Vocals | With vocals or without | Without for anything that sits under a voiceover |
| Genre | Pick from the list, or name one such as modern country, hip-hop, indie rock or big band swing | Match the mood of your brand or the video |
| Context files | Images or videos you upload | Giving Gemini the clip the music is for |
Prompts that get better tracks
Google's tips are short and practical:
- Start your prompt with words like write, compose or create.
- Name the genre you want, and optionally the instruments.
- Add detail about the track: the subject, what the subject is doing, and the background or setting.
Google's own examples include an intro track for a podcast about cats and a lo-fi hip-hop beat with a simple piano melody. Here are those two, plus two I'd try for business content:
Prompts to try
Create an intro track for my podcast about cats.
Compose a lo-fi hip-hop beat with a chill, melancholic vibe and a simple piano melody.
Compose a short, upbeat instrumental intro for a small business podcast, with acoustic guitar and light percussion, no vocals.
Create a calm, warm background track for a product demo video, with soft piano, no vocals.
Download, share and the watermark
Your track arrives as a video file with custom cover art. To save it, click Download in the top right of the track's image and choose the video with cover art as an MP4, or the audio-only MP3. To share it, click Share in the same spot and copy the link to send to someone or post on social media.
Every generated track carries an embedded digital watermark to help identify it as AI-generated. Assume anyone with the right tools can tell, and label AI music honestly when you publish it.
Google's music help page doesn't cover commercial use. Before a track goes into a paid ad or becomes your brand's signature sound, check Google's terms yourself.
How many tracks you can make
There's a limit on how many tracks you can create with Lyria. Gemini sends a notification when you've gone past it, and you can either upgrade your plan or wait for the limit to refresh. Google's limits page also says multimedia requests, music included, use a lot of thinking power, so a music session eats into your general allowance faster than plain chat. You can see where you stand under Settings, then Usage Limits, at the bottom left of gemini.google.com.
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For work and school accounts, Google publishes daily numbers by Workspace access level, as of October 2026:
- 30-second tracks: up to 10 a day on the lowest level with music generation, then up to 50, 60 or 100 a day on higher levels.
- Full tracks, up to 3 minutes: up to 5 a day on that same lowest level, then up to 20, 30 or 50 a day on higher levels.
For limits across the rest of Gemini, see how Gemini's usage limits work, and for the plan with higher allowances, my guide to Google AI Pro. Developers get Lyria separately through the Gemini API, where Google lists Lyria 3.5 for full-length songs, Lyria 3 Clip for clips up to 30 seconds, and Lyria RealTime for streaming.
Where I'd use it, and where I'd skip it
I'd use Gemini music for podcast intros, mood tracks under a product demo and short social clips, where a decent original track beats hunting through stock libraries. I'd skip it as a final brand jingle until you've checked Google's terms, and I wouldn't build a paid campaign around a track you can't explain the rights to. Features and limits change often, so check Google's music help page for the latest. If you're new to the app overall, my guide to using Gemini covers the rest.
If you want your team making audio and music content with AI without a production bottleneck, that's the kind of AI training I run. I run AI training and workshops for teams, and help businesses with AI enablement and workflow automation, so the busywork runs itself and people get time back. Most of that work is with SaaS marketing teams and small businesses. Here's how we can work together.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I see Create music in Gemini?
Check the three requirements: you must be 18 or over, signed in with a personal account or a supported work or school account, and have Keep Activity on. The option sits under Upload & tools at the bottom of the text box.
How long can a Gemini song be?
A short track is about 1 minute and a full track is about 2 to 3 minutes. Google says you need to switch the model to Pro to create a full track.
Can I download Gemini music as an MP3?
Yes. Click Download in the top right of the track's image and choose the audio-only MP3, or the MP4 video with cover art.
Is Gemini music watermarked?
Yes. Google says each generated track has an embedded digital watermark to help identify it as AI-generated.
