Nano Banana 2.1 on NightCafe

What is Nano Banana 2.1?

Nano Banana 2.1 is Google's updated Nano Banana 2 image model on NightCafe. It launched in October 2026 as a single PRO model.

It is the current Nano Banana to start with: 1K to 4K output, prompt-to-edit, up to 14 reference images (included in the output price), consistent characters, and strong text rendering.

Independent Artificial Analysis arenas now list Nano Banana 2.1 near the top: about 4th for text-to-image (Elo about 1176) and about 3rd for image editing (Elo about 1152), as of 20 October 2026. On NightCafe it is still a mid-price Google editor and generator (~3.5 credits at 1K) — not the everyday 1-credit pick. For most prompts, start with GPT Image 2.5 Flare on Quality Low (~1 credit) or Muse Image (~2 credits). Choose Nano Banana 2.1 when you want a highly ranked Google model, 4K, or up to 14 reference images included in the price.

What it's good at

1K to 4K — Medium is about 1K (the default), High is about 2K, and Ultra is about 4K.
Prompt to Edit — add a start image and describe the change, including a background, object, or wording.
Multi-image fusion — combine up to 14 reference images in one generation. Reference images are included in the output price (they do not add extra credits).
Consistent characters — keep a subject looking the same across creations.
Wide and tall crops — including banner-style and poster-style aspect ratios.
Typography — accurate text you can change in place.

How to use it

In Studio, pick Nano Banana 2.1 from the model picker (Google section). Write a prompt, optionally add start images, choose Resolution, then Generate.

You generate one image at a time. Resolution defaults to 1K (Medium).

Write a clear brief: subject, action, setting, and any exact text in quotation marks. For an edit, add the image as a Start Image and describe only the change. For fusion, give each reference a job (for example one face, one outfit, one background).

A square product photo for an online shop. A ceramic pour-over coffee dripper in matte speckled cream sits on a walnut board, with a linen cloth and a small bowl of coffee beans. Soft window light from the left. The kraft card in front reads "HOUSE BLEND". Photoreal, clean background.

Change the card text to "SINGLE ORIGIN" and keep the dripper, board, lighting, and camera position the same.

Resolution and credits

Credits are per image and depend on Resolution. Reference images are included in that price.

Resolution	About	Credits
Medium (default)	~1K	3.5
High	~2K	5
Ultra	~4K	11.5

AI Artist includes unlimited 1K generations (the 3.5-credit Medium setting). 2K and 4K still use credits.

New subscriber bonus

From 3 November 2026, going PRO for the first time includes 20 free Nano Banana 2.1 creations, on any plan. The pricing page shows this as a limited-time offer for new subscribers. Renewals, top-ups, and credit packs do not include it.

Each freebie is titled Free Nano Banana 2.1 Image. It works only on Nano Banana 2.1. The default Medium resolution (about 1K) fits, including when you add start images, because reference images are included in the price. High and Ultra cost more than the freebie covers, so it will not apply. Use Medium, or pay for the higher resolution with credits. The freebies expire 45 days after they are granted.

If you subscribed before 3 November 2026, welcome freebies already on your account may still be Nano Banana 2. Those still work on Nano Banana 2.

Good to know

Nano Banana 2.1 is PRO only.
Resolution defaults to 1K.
There is no Seed control — each image gets a random seed.
You can attach up to 14 start images. They do not add extra credits.
Output is one image per generate.
Nano Banana 2, Nano Banana 2 Lite, and Nano Banana Pro are still available. Prefer 2.1 for new work unless you specifically want the cheaper 1K-only Lite variant or the Fast-credits Pro tier.