# Grok Imagine API: the cheapest way to call it

Updated 2 Nov 2026

## Short answer

On VidLab, Grok Imagine Video 1.5 costs $0.04, $0.07 and $0.13 per second at 480p, 720p and 1080p, and Grok Imagine Image 2.0 costs $0.02 per image at 1K, 1.5K and 2K. Against Higgsfield that is 66% to 68% lower for the video and 67% to 79% lower for the image. It is one API key, an estimate before you spend, and no charge for a failed generation.

## Video: Grok Imagine Video 1.5

[Grok Imagine Video 1.5](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-video-1.5) does text to video, image to video, first and last frames and reference to video, up to 1080p, with sound. A clip runs 1 to 15 seconds in 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1, and you can send up to 4 reference images.

| Grok Imagine Video 1.5, per second of video | 480p | 720p | 1080p |
| - | - | - | - |
| VidLab | $0.04 | $0.07 | $0.13 |
| Fal | $0.08 | $0.14 | $0.25 |
| Sume | $0.08 | $0.14 | n/a |
| Higgsfield | $0.1225 | $0.2205 | $0.392 |
| VidLab saves vs the highest | 67% | 68% | 66% |

Prices are dollars per second of video. A 10 second clip at 1080p is $1.30 on VidLab and $3.92 at Higgsfield's Plus rate.

## Image: Grok Imagine Image 2.0

[Grok Imagine Image 2.0](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-image-2.0) does text to image and image editing, up to 2K, with up to 3 reference images and up to 4 images per request.

| Grok Imagine Image 2.0, per image | 1K | 2K |
| - | - | - |
| VidLab | $0.02 | $0.02 |
| Fal | $0.06 | $0.08 |
| Sunra | $0.06 | n/a |
| Higgsfield | $0.0613 | $0.098 |
| VidLab saves vs the highest | 67% | 79% |

Higgsfield sells this model by quality tier. The figures here are for its lowest tier, which is the cheapest it offers, so the comparison is against Higgsfield's best price for the model. VidLab also lists 1.5K at $0.02, a size Higgsfield does not offer, so there is nothing to compare it with.

## Every Grok Imagine model

| Model | What it does | Price |
| - | - | - |
| [Grok Imagine Video](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-video) | Text and image to video, up to 1080p, with sound | $0.02 to $0.05 per second |
| [Grok Imagine Video 1.5 Preview](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-video-1.5-preview) | Text and image to video, up to 720p, with sound | $0.02 to $0.03 per second |
| [Grok Imagine Video 1.5](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-video-1.5) | Adds first and last frames and reference to video, up to 1080p | $0.04 to $0.13 per second |
| [Grok Imagine Image](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-image) | Text to image and editing, up to 2K | $0.02 per image |
| [Grok Imagine Image 2.0](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-image-2.0) | Text to image and editing, up to 2K | $0.02 per image |
| [Grok Imagine Image 2.0 Quality](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-image-2.0-quality) | The quality version of Image 2.0, up to 2K | $0.05 to $0.07 per image |
| [Grok Imagine 1.5 Edit](/vidlab-api/models/grok-imagine-1.5-edit) | Instruction-based image editing | $0.02 per image |

To pick between the video models, use Grok Imagine Video or the preview for drafts, since they have the lowest price per second, and move to 1.5 when you need first and last frames or a reference video.

## Call it

```bash
curl -s -X POST https://vidlab.ai/v1/generations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $VIDLAB_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Idempotency-Key: $(uuidgen)" \
  -d '{"model":"grok-imagine-video-1.5","input":{"prompt":"A paper boat drifting down a rain-wet street at dusk","resolution":"720p","duration":5,"aspect_ratio":"9:16"},"max_price_usd":0.35}'
```

The answer is `202` with a job id. Poll `GET /v1/generations/{id}` every 5 to 10 seconds until it is `succeeded`, then download the file from `outputs`. Run `POST /v1/estimate` with the same body first if you want the price before you start. For the image, swap the model for `grok-imagine-image-2.0` and send `resolution` as `1k`, `1.5k` or `2k`.

## FAQ

### How much does Grok Imagine cost per second?

Grok Imagine Video 1.5 costs $0.04 per second at 480p, $0.07 at 720p and $0.13 at 1080p. The older Grok Imagine Video costs $0.02 to $0.05.

### Does the video have sound?

The catalogue lists Grok Imagine Video 1.5 as a model with sound. The price shown is the price of the clip you receive, with no separate sound option.

### What is the longest clip?

Grok Imagine video models accept 1 to 15 seconds per clip.

### Is a failed generation charged?

No. The price is held while the job runs and released if it fails.

### Can an agent call Grok Imagine?

Yes, through [MCP](/blog/vidlab-mcp-claude-cursor-codex) or the [skill file](/vidlab-api/SKILL.md).