# What 1,000 AI images cost (2026)

> Eleven AI image models at list price, normalised to cost per 1,000 images.
> Prices checked 2026-10-30. Canonical: https://aiapi-pro.com/image-cost-2026

| Model | Per image | 1,000 images | Images per $10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wan 2.2 T2I Flash | $0.0215 | $22 | 465 |
| WAND Vega Image Lite | $0.0250 | $25 | 400 |
| Seedream 5.0 | $0.0270 | $27 | 370 |
| Vidu Image Q2 | $0.0290 | $29 | 345 |
| Wan 2.5 T2I Preview | $0.0308 | $31 | 325 |
| Hunyuan Image 3.0 | $0.0310 | $31 | 323 |
| Seedream v5.0 Lite (TokenHub) | $0.0340 | $34 | 294 |
| Seedream 5.0 Pro | $0.0340 | $34 | 294 |
| Seedream v5.0 Pro (TokenHub) | $0.0460 | $46 | 217 |
| WAND Vega Image Flash | $0.0690 | $69 | 145 |
| WAND Vega Image Pro | $0.1460 | $146 | 68 |

Spread between the cheapest and most expensive model for the same unit: **6.8x**.

## Three things that change the real bill

1. **Reject rate is the hidden multiplier.** At a 30% discard rate you generate 1.4 images per usable one. 1,000 usable images = 1,400 generations = $30 cheapest, $204 most expensive.
2. **The cheapest model is not the cheapest pipeline.** If a model needs more retries, the nominal advantage disappears. Measure your own hit rate.
3. **Free options exist for the first hundred.** CogView3-Flash and GLM-4.1V-Thinking-Flash are $0 inside the daily cap (10 calls/day, no card).

## Billing note

These models bill per image, not per megapixel, so on most rows a 4K render costs the same as a 1K one. Check the individual model page before assuming a resolution surcharge.

## Tools

- Image batch calculator: https://aiapi-pro.com/image-cost-calculator
- Video cost per minute: https://aiapi-pro.com/video-cost-2026
- Billing units explained: https://aiapi-pro.com/blog/chinese-ai-billing-units-2026

Maintained by NovAI (https://aiapi-pro.com), an OpenAI-compatible gateway for Chinese models at provider list price, 0% platform fee.