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Is Nano Banana free?

Last checked: 18 October 2026 · The AI Till, UK

What you get on each plan (18 October 2026)

Google no longer publishes a fixed number of images a day. Since May 2026, Gemini uses compute based limits that refresh every five hours until you reach a weekly cap, and making images uses up the allowance faster than text chat. Earlier versions of Google's limits page listed up to 20 free images a day, but that figure has been removed and should not be relied on.

How to use Nano Banana

1. Open the Gemini app or gemini.google.com and sign in.
2. Open the tools menu and choose Create images (it has a banana icon).
3. Type a prompt, or upload a photo and describe the edit you want, such as "replace the background with a plain white studio".
4. On a paid plan, open the three dot menu on an image and choose Redo with Pro for a higher quality version.
5. Download the image. Google adds an invisible SynthID watermark, and a visible mark may appear on some images.

You need to be at least 13 to make images and 18 to edit photos of real people, according to Google's help pages.

What Nano Banana is good at

• Editing your own photos: changing backgrounds, lighting or adding a product to a scene while keeping it recognisable.
• Consistent characters: keeping the same person or mascot across several images, which is useful for a series of social posts.
• Text in images: the paid models render signs, menus and headings more accurately than older image tools, though you should still check spelling.
• Diagrams and infographics: the paid models use Gemini's knowledge to produce simple explanatory graphics.

A worked example

A florist wants six images of the same bouquet in different settings for a Mother's Day campaign. On the free plan she uploads one good photo and asks for each setting in turn. She may hit the five hour limit partway through, so she spreads the work across a day. If she does this weekly, Google AI Plus at £4.49 a month doubles her allowance and gives 2K downloads, which look sharper on Instagram and her website.

Is Nano Banana safe to use for business?

Google's consumer Gemini app may use your chats and uploads to improve its services unless you turn off Gemini Apps activity, and human reviewers can see some conversations. Avoid uploading photos of customers, children or staff without permission. If you use a Google Workspace business account, different data terms apply. See does Gemini use my data for training?

Rights in the images are also a grey area. Google does not claim ownership of what you make, but UK law on AI generated images is unsettled and you must not copy logos, characters or real people. See can I use AI images in my business?

Common mistakes

• Expecting unlimited images on Google AI Pro. It raises limits but still has a cap.
• Uploading a low quality phone photo and expecting a crisp edited result.
• Using a realistic AI image of a person in an advert without saying it is AI.
• Paying for a separate image app when your Google AI plan already covers it.

Related questions

How many free Nano Banana images can I make a day?

Google does not publish a number any more. Limits refresh every five hours up to a weekly cap, and image generation uses more of the allowance than chat.

What is the difference between Nano Banana and Nano Banana Pro?

Nano Banana is the fast everyday model. Nano Banana Pro is Google's higher quality model, which paid subscribers can use to redo an image.

Is Nano Banana available in the UK?

Yes. Google says image generation is available in every country and language where the Gemini app is available, including the UK.

Can I use Nano Banana through the API?

Yes, developers can use it through the Gemini API and Google AI Studio, which charge per image. See how much does Google AI Studio cost?

Sources

• Google: Gemini image generation (Nano Banana)
• Gemini Apps Help: limits and feature availability
• Google UK: Gemini subscriptions

Checked 18 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

More on ai costs and free plans

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• Can ChatGPT Plus make videos?
• Can I claim ChatGPT as a business expense in the UK?
• Can more than one person use ChatGPT Plus?
• Do AI subscriptions like Claude, Canva and Grammarly charge UK VAT?
• Does ChatGPT Plus have usage limits?

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