To use Grok Imagine, open Grok at grok.com or in the iOS or Android app and sign in. Choose Imagine, describe the image you want, starting with the subject, and generate. You can then edit the image or turn it into a short video. Every result carries a Grok watermark.
Grok Imagine is the image and video maker inside Grok. xAI's docs say Grok is free to start, and the free plan includes limited image generation. Video generation and higher limits come with the paid plans. Here's how to get good results, and the rules that surprise people.
Step 1: Open Grok in the right place
xAI's own FAQ says to use grok.com in a standard Chrome or Chromium browser, because some people using grok.x.ai or other web addresses find features missing. You can also use the iOS and Android apps. Sign in once and your conversations, settings and subscription stay in sync across every device. If you subscribed on one device and it doesn't show on another, check you're signed in with the same login, such as the same Apple, X or Google account.
Step 2: Write a prompt that leads with the subject
xAI's prompting guide for its image model is clear about what matters most: whether the subject in the picture matches the subject in your prompt. Mood, colour palette and film effects come after that. It suggests building every prompt in the same order:
- Subject: name the thing, its form, what holds or supports it, and the setting.
- Details and focal point: the key elements, the materials, how many there are and the camera angle.
- Art direction: the colour areas and two or three named props.
- Light: the source, its direction and how soft or hard the light falls.
- Colour: the subject's colours and the background colours, listed separately.
- Composition: the crop, what's cut off and what stays sharp.
Copy this prompt
A matte terracotta candle in a short glass jar on a pale linen cloth, on a light oak shelf against a white wall. Three-quarter view at shelf height, one candle, flame lit. Two props: a sprig of dried eucalyptus and a brass snuffer. Soft morning light from the left with gentle shadows. Terracotta, cream, pale oak and white. Tight crop with the candle and label sharp.
Two tips from the same guide are worth remembering. Describe the material you want to see, such as brushed steel with a fine grain, rather than saying what you don't want, like not shiny. And avoid long lists of things to leave out, because the model tends to ignore them and they waste the prompt.
If you're making a set of images, for a carousel or a product range, keep the same aspect ratio and the same prompt order for every one so they sit together. xAI's guide suggests 3:2 for most photographs. If you use the Imagine API, xAI notes that generated image links are temporary, so save the files you want to keep.
Step 3: Edit an image you already have
If an image is nearly right, edit it instead of starting again. xAI describes editing in plain language, such as render this as a pencil sketch with detailed shading, and its image model supports edits that combine up to five reference images. For a product photo, upload it, describe the new setting and ask Grok to keep the product itself unchanged.
Step 4: Turn images into video
Grok Imagine can also make videos from a text prompt or a still image. xAI's developer docs say its video generation supports durations of up to 15 seconds, with options to extend a video from its last frame. On the consumer plans, xAI's pricing page shows video generation from the Premium plan up, and the Super plan lists 1080p video.
The rules that catch people out
| Rule | What xAI says |
|---|---|
| Watermark | Every image and video carries a Grok watermark; there's no setting to remove it |
| Video quality | 720p videos drop to 480p once you reach the 720p cap for your tier |
| Usage | Paid plans share one weekly usage pool across Chat, Imagine, Voice and Build |
| Running out | Paid features pause until the weekly reset; you can buy Extra Usage Credits or upgrade |
The watermark matters for business use. xAI says it shows the content was made with AI, that labelling AI-generated content is a legal requirement in some places, and that removing or hiding the watermark isn't allowed. So plan your designs with it in mind rather than trying to crop it out. You can check your usage at any time under Settings, then Usage, which shows a percentage breakdown by product and your weekly reset time.
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Which plan you need
xAI's pricing page lists these individual plans, as of October 2026, in US dollars, and they share one pool of AI usage across Grok and Cursor:
| Plan | Monthly | Imagine |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited image generation, no video |
| Plus | $8 | Image generation included in a shared usage pool |
| Premium | $30 | Images and video, with 4x the usage of Plus |
| Super | $100 | 1080p video and 15x the usage of Plus |
Prices exclude taxes, and new subscriptions renew automatically until you cancel.
My verdict
Grok Imagine is quick and capable for social images and short clips, as long as you're happy with the watermark. Lead every prompt with the subject, keep a consistent prompt structure across a series and edit good images rather than regenerating. For ready-made ideas, see my Grok Imagine prompts, and if you need images without a watermark, my guide to where to create AI images for free lists the alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grok Imagine free?
Partly. As of October 2026, xAI's pricing page shows limited image generation on the free plan. Video generation starts on the Premium plan.
Can I remove the Grok watermark?
No. xAI says there's no setting to remove it, and removing, altering or hiding the watermark isn't allowed.
Why did my Grok video come out at 480p?
xAI says 720p videos automatically fall back to 480p once you hit the 720p cap for your plan.
How long can Grok Imagine videos be?
xAI's developer docs say video generation supports durations of up to 15 seconds, and videos can be extended from their last frame.
Where should I use Grok Imagine?
xAI recommends grok.com in a standard Chrome or Chromium browser, or the iOS and Android apps.
