Nano banana lite is the efficiency-focused model in the image generation family. Sub-2 second latency with cost-effective generation and editing, fast multi-turn local edits, and 14 supported aspect ratios.

google/nano-banana-lite

Inference

Commercial use

Partner

Schema

LLMs

Playground API Examples

google/nano-banana-lite

Schema

google/nano-banana-lite

Inference

Commercial use

Partner

Schema

LLMs

Playground API Examples

1. Calling the API

2. Authentication

API Key

3. Queue

4. Files

5. Schema

About

Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image (Nano Banana Lite) generates images from text descriptions at ultra-low latency.

1. Calling the API#

Install the client#

The client provides a convenient way to interact with the model API.

npm install --save @fal-ai/client

Migrate to @fal-ai/client

The @fal-ai/serverless-client package has been deprecated in favor of @fal-ai/client. Install the new package and update your imports — see client setup.

Setup your API Key#

Set FAL_KEY as an environment variable in your runtime.

export FAL_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"

Submit a request#

The client API handles the API submit protocol. It will handle the request status updates and return the result when the request is completed.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const result = await fal.subscribe("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  input: {
    prompt: "An action shot of a black lab swimming in an inground suburban swimming pool. The camera is placed meticulously on the water line, dividing the image in half, revealing both the dogs head above water holding a tennis ball in it's mouth, and it's paws paddling underwater."
  },
  logs: true,
  onQueueUpdate: (update) => {
    if (update.status === "IN_PROGRESS") {
      update.logs.map((log) => log.message).forEach(console.log);
    }
  },
});
console.log(result.data);
console.log(result.requestId);

2. Authentication#

The API uses an API Key for authentication. It is recommended you set the FAL_KEY environment variable in your runtime when possible.

API Key#

In an environment where you cannot set environment variables, you can configure the API key manually on the client.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

fal.config({
  credentials: "YOUR_FAL_KEY"
});

Protect your API Key

When running code on the client-side (e.g. in a browser, mobile app or GUI applications), make sure to not expose your FAL_KEY. Instead, use a server-side proxy to make requests to the API. For more information, check out our server-side integration guide.

3. Queue#

Long-running requests

For long-running requests, such as training jobs or models with slower inference times, it is recommended to check the Queue status and rely on Webhooks instead of blocking while waiting for the result.

Submit a request#

The client API provides a convenient way to submit requests to the model.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const { request_id } = await fal.queue.submit("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  input: {
    prompt: "An action shot of a black lab swimming in an inground suburban swimming pool. The camera is placed meticulously on the water line, dividing the image in half, revealing both the dogs head above water holding a tennis ball in it's mouth, and it's paws paddling underwater."
  },
  webhookUrl: "https://optional.webhook.url/for/results",
});

Fetch request status#

You can fetch the status of a request to check if it is completed or still in progress.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const status = await fal.queue.status("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  requestId: "764cabcf-b745-4b3e-ae38-1200304cf45b",
  logs: true,
});

Get the result#

Once the request is completed, you can fetch the result. See the Output Schema for the expected result format.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const result = await fal.queue.result("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  requestId: "764cabcf-b745-4b3e-ae38-1200304cf45b"
});
console.log(result.data);
console.log(result.requestId);

4. Files#

Some attributes in the API accept file URLs as input. Whenever that's the case you can pass your own URL or a Base64 data URI.

Data URI (base64)#

You can pass a Base64 data URI as a file input. The API will handle the file decoding for you. Keep in mind that for large files, this alternative although convenient can impact the request performance.

Hosted files (URL)#

You can also pass your own URLs as long as they are publicly accessible. Be aware that some hosts might block cross-site requests, rate-limit, or consider the request as a bot.

Uploading files#

We provide a convenient file storage that allows you to upload files and use them in your requests. You can upload files using the client API and use the returned URL in your requests.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const file = new File(["Hello, World!"], "hello.txt", { type: "text/plain" });
const url = await fal.storage.upload(file);

Auto uploads

The client will auto-upload the file for you if you pass a binary object (e.g. File, Data).

Read more about file handling in our file upload guide.

5. Schema#

Input#

prompt string* required

The text prompt to generate an image from.

system_prompt string

Optional system instruction that steers the model's persona and output style across the request. Leave blank to omit; when provided, it is sent as the system instruction to Gemini (or as a system message on OpenAI-compatible providers). Default value: ""

aspect_ratio Enum

The aspect ratio of the generated image. Supports extreme ratios: 4:1, 1:4, 8:1, 1:8. Use "auto" to let the model decide based on the prompt. Default value: auto

Possible enum values: auto, 21:9, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 1:1, 4:5, 3:4, 2:3, 9:16, 4:1, 1:4, 8:1, 1:8

num_images integer

The number of images to generate. Default value: 1

seed integer

The seed for the random number generator.

output_format OutputFormatEnum

The format of the generated image. Default value: "png"

Possible enum values: jpeg, png, webp

safety_tolerance SafetyToleranceEnum

API only

The safety tolerance level for content moderation. 1 is the most strict (blocks most content), 6 is the least strict. Default value: "4"

Possible enum values: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Note: This property is only available through API calls.

sync_mode boolean

If True, the media will be returned as a data URI and the output data won't be available in the request history.

limit_generations boolean

Experimental parameter to limit the number of generations from each round of prompting to 1. Set to True to to disregard any instructions in the prompt regarding the number of images to generate and ignore any intermediate images generated by the model. This may affect generation quality. Default value: true

thinking_level Enum

When set, enables model thinking with the given level ('minimal' or 'high') and includes thoughts in the generation. Omit to disable.

Possible enum values: minimal, high

{
  "prompt": "An action shot of a black lab swimming in an inground suburban swimming pool. The camera is placed meticulously on the water line, dividing the image in half, revealing both the dogs head above water holding a tennis ball in it's mouth, and it's paws paddling underwater.",
  "aspect_ratio": "auto",
  "num_images": 1,
  "output_format": "png",
  "safety_tolerance": "4",
  "limit_generations": true
}

Output#

images list<ImageFile>* required

The generated images.

description string* required

The description of the generated images.

{
  "images": [
    {
      "content_type": "image/png",
      "file_name": "nano-banana-lite-t2i-output.png",
      "url": "https://storage.googleapis.com/falserverless/example_outputs/nano-banana-2-t2i-output.png"
    }
  ],
  "description": ""
}

Other types#

ImageFile#

url string* required

The URL where the file can be downloaded from.

content_type string

The mime type of the file.

file_name string

The name of the file. It will be auto-generated if not provided.

file_size integer

The size of the file in bytes.

width integer

The width of the image

height integer

The height of the image

Related Models

1. Calling the API

2. Authentication

API Key

3. Queue

4. Files

5. Schema

About

Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image (Nano Banana Lite) generates images from text descriptions at ultra-low latency.

1. Calling the API#

Install the client#

The client provides a convenient way to interact with the model API.

npm install --save @fal-ai/client

Migrate to @fal-ai/client

The @fal-ai/serverless-client package has been deprecated in favor of @fal-ai/client. Install the new package and update your imports — see client setup.

Setup your API Key#

Set FAL_KEY as an environment variable in your runtime.

export FAL_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"

Submit a request#

The client API handles the API submit protocol. It will handle the request status updates and return the result when the request is completed.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const result = await fal.subscribe("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  input: {
    prompt: "An action shot of a black lab swimming in an inground suburban swimming pool. The camera is placed meticulously on the water line, dividing the image in half, revealing both the dogs head above water holding a tennis ball in it's mouth, and it's paws paddling underwater."
  },
  logs: true,
  onQueueUpdate: (update) => {
    if (update.status === "IN_PROGRESS") {
      update.logs.map((log) => log.message).forEach(console.log);
    }
  },
});
console.log(result.data);
console.log(result.requestId);

2. Authentication#

The API uses an API Key for authentication. It is recommended you set the FAL_KEY environment variable in your runtime when possible.

API Key#

In an environment where you cannot set environment variables, you can configure the API key manually on the client.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

fal.config({
  credentials: "YOUR_FAL_KEY"
});

Protect your API Key

3. Queue#

Long-running requests

Submit a request#

The client API provides a convenient way to submit requests to the model.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const { request_id } = await fal.queue.submit("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  input: {
    prompt: "An action shot of a black lab swimming in an inground suburban swimming pool. The camera is placed meticulously on the water line, dividing the image in half, revealing both the dogs head above water holding a tennis ball in it's mouth, and it's paws paddling underwater."
  },
  webhookUrl: "https://optional.webhook.url/for/results",
});

Fetch request status#

You can fetch the status of a request to check if it is completed or still in progress.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const status = await fal.queue.status("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  requestId: "764cabcf-b745-4b3e-ae38-1200304cf45b",
  logs: true,
});

Get the result#

Once the request is completed, you can fetch the result. See the Output Schema for the expected result format.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const result = await fal.queue.result("google/nano-banana-lite", {
  requestId: "764cabcf-b745-4b3e-ae38-1200304cf45b"
});
console.log(result.data);
console.log(result.requestId);

4. Files#

Some attributes in the API accept file URLs as input. Whenever that's the case you can pass your own URL or a Base64 data URI.

Data URI (base64)#

Hosted files (URL)#

You can also pass your own URLs as long as they are publicly accessible. Be aware that some hosts might block cross-site requests, rate-limit, or consider the request as a bot.

Uploading files#

We provide a convenient file storage that allows you to upload files and use them in your requests. You can upload files using the client API and use the returned URL in your requests.

import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client";

const file = new File(["Hello, World!"], "hello.txt", { type: "text/plain" });
const url = await fal.storage.upload(file);

Auto uploads

The client will auto-upload the file for you if you pass a binary object (e.g. File, Data).

Read more about file handling in our file upload guide.

5. Schema#

Input#

prompt string* required

The text prompt to generate an image from.

system_prompt string

aspect_ratio Enum

The aspect ratio of the generated image. Supports extreme ratios: 4:1, 1:4, 8:1, 1:8. Use "auto" to let the model decide based on the prompt. Default value: auto

Possible enum values: auto, 21:9, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 1:1, 4:5, 3:4, 2:3, 9:16, 4:1, 1:4, 8:1, 1:8

num_images integer

The number of images to generate. Default value: 1

seed integer

The seed for the random number generator.

output_format OutputFormatEnum

The format of the generated image. Default value: "png"

Possible enum values: jpeg, png, webp

safety_tolerance SafetyToleranceEnum

API only

The safety tolerance level for content moderation. 1 is the most strict (blocks most content), 6 is the least strict. Default value: "4"

Possible enum values: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Note: This property is only available through API calls.

sync_mode boolean

If True, the media will be returned as a data URI and the output data won't be available in the request history.

limit_generations boolean

thinking_level Enum

When set, enables model thinking with the given level ('minimal' or 'high') and includes thoughts in the generation. Omit to disable.

Possible enum values: minimal, high

{
  "prompt": "An action shot of a black lab swimming in an inground suburban swimming pool. The camera is placed meticulously on the water line, dividing the image in half, revealing both the dogs head above water holding a tennis ball in it's mouth, and it's paws paddling underwater.",
  "aspect_ratio": "auto",
  "num_images": 1,
  "output_format": "png",
  "safety_tolerance": "4",
  "limit_generations": true
}

Output#

images list<ImageFile>* required

The generated images.

description string* required

The description of the generated images.

{
  "images": [
    {
      "content_type": "image/png",
      "file_name": "nano-banana-lite-t2i-output.png",
      "url": "https://storage.googleapis.com/falserverless/example_outputs/nano-banana-2-t2i-output.png"
    }
  ],
  "description": ""
}

Other types#

ImageFile#

url string* required

The URL where the file can be downloaded from.

content_type string

The mime type of the file.

file_name string

The name of the file. It will be auto-generated if not provided.

file_size integer

The size of the file in bytes.

width integer

The width of the image

height integer

The height of the image

google/nano-banana-lite

Table of contents

Table of contents

google/nano-banana-lite

Table of contents

1. Calling the API

2. Authentication

3. Queue

4. Files

5. Schema

About

1. Calling the API#

Install the client#

Migrate to @fal-ai/client

Setup your API Key#

Submit a request#

2. Authentication#

API Key#

Protect your API Key

3. Queue#

Long-running requests

Submit a request#

Fetch request status#

Get the result#

4. Files#

Data URI (base64)#

Hosted files (URL)#

Uploading files#

Auto uploads

5. Schema#

Input#

Output#

Other types#

ImageFile#

Related Models

Table of contents

Table of contents

1. Calling the API

2. Authentication

3. Queue

4. Files

5. Schema

About

1. Calling the API#

Install the client#

Migrate to @fal-ai/client

Setup your API Key#

Submit a request#

2. Authentication#

API Key#

Protect your API Key

3. Queue#

Long-running requests

Submit a request#

Fetch request status#

Get the result#

4. Files#

Data URI (base64)#

Hosted files (URL)#

Uploading files#

Auto uploads

5. Schema#

Input#

Output#

Other types#

ImageFile#

Related Models