Google’s creative AI stack now includes dedicated video generation (Veo) and music generation (Lyria) APIs. These models can generate cinematic videos with synchronized audio, produce full-length songs, and create 30-second music clips — all through API calls.
This guide covers the exact pricing for every Veo and Lyria model available in May 2026.
🎬 Veo — AI Video Generation
Google’s Veo family generates videos from text or image prompts. The latest Veo 3.1 includes native audio generation — dialogue, sound effects, and ambient sounds synchronized to the visuals.
Veo Model Overview
| Model | Model ID | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Veo 3.1 Standard | veo-3.1-generate-preview |
Highest quality, native audio, 4K support |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | veo-3.1-fast-generate-preview |
Faster generation, balanced quality |
| Veo 3.1 Lite | veo-3.1-lite-generate-preview |
Budget option, 720p/1080p |
| Veo 3 Standard | veo-3.0-generate-001 |
Stable release, native audio |
| Veo 3 Fast | veo-3.0-fast-generate-001 |
Stable fast generation |
| Veo 2 | veo-2.0-generate-001 |
Previous generation, reliable |
💰 Veo Pricing (Per Second of Video)
| Model Tier | Price per Second | 8-sec Video | 15-sec Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veo 3.1 Lite | $0.05–$0.08 | ~$0.40–$0.64 | ~$0.75–$1.20 |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | ~$0.15 | ~$1.20 | ~$2.25 |
| Veo 3.1 Standard | $0.40–$0.75 | ~$3.20–$6.00 | ~$6.00–$11.25 |
| Veo 3 Fast | ~$0.15 | ~$1.20 | ~$2.25 |
| Veo 3 Standard (video only) | ~$0.50 | ~$4.00 | ~$7.50 |
| Veo 3 Standard (with audio) | ~$0.75 | ~$6.00 | ~$11.25 |
| Veo 2 | ~$0.35 | ~$2.80 | ~$5.25 |
💡 Cost tip: Use Veo 3.1 Lite ($0.05–$0.08/sec) for drafts and storyboarding, then upgrade to Standard for the final render. This can cut your iteration costs by 80%.
Important Notes
- Native audio: Veo 3 and 3.1 generate synchronized sound. The “with audio” tier costs more but eliminates the need for separate audio post-production.
- Resolution affects cost: Higher resolutions (4K) will be at the upper end of the price range.
- Paid tier only: All Veo models require a paid Gemini API plan.
🎵 Lyria 3 — AI Music Generation
Google’s Lyria 3 family generates music from text prompts. Unlike per-second pricing, Lyria uses a flat fee per generation.
Lyria Model Overview
| Model | Model ID | Output | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyria 3 Clip | lyria-3-clip-preview |
Short music clips | Up to 30 seconds |
| Lyria 3 Pro | lyria-3-pro-preview |
Full songs with structure | Up to ~3 minutes |
💰 Lyria 3 Pricing (Per Generation)
| Model | Price per Generation | Max Duration | Per-Second Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyria 3 Clip | $0.04 | ~30 seconds | ~$0.0013/sec |
| Lyria 3 Pro | $0.08 | ~3 minutes | ~$0.0004/sec |
🔥 Incredible value: At $0.08 per 3-minute song, Lyria 3 Pro is by far the cheapest AI music generation service available. You can generate 1,000 full songs for just $80.
Lyria 3 Pro Features
- Structural control: Define intros, verses, choruses, bridges
- Genre support: Pop, rock, electronic, classical, ambient, and more
- Instrument specification: Request specific instruments in your prompt
- Mood control: Specify energy level, emotion, and tempo
📊 Veo vs. Competitors: How Does Google Compare?
| Provider | Model | Cost for 8-sec Video |
|---|---|---|
| Google Veo 3.1 Lite | Budget | ~$0.50 |
| Google Veo 3.1 Fast | Mid-tier | ~$1.20 |
| Google Veo 3.1 Standard | Premium | ~$4.00+ |
| OpenAI Sora | Standard | ~$3.00+ |
| Runway Gen-4 | Standard | ~$2.50+ |
Veo 3.1 Lite is extremely competitive for prototyping and social media content at just ~$0.50 per 8-second clip.
📊 Lyria vs. Competitors: Music Generation Costs
| Provider | Cost per Song | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Google Lyria 3 Pro | $0.08 | ~3 minutes |
| Google Lyria 3 Clip | $0.04 | ~30 seconds |
| Suno v4 | ~$0.05–$0.10 | ~4 minutes |
| Udio | ~$0.05–$0.10 | ~2 minutes |
🧮 Real-World Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: Create a 60-second social media ad
| Step | Model | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Generate 4 draft clips (8 sec each) | Veo 3.1 Lite | $2.00 |
| Final render (15 sec, with audio) | Veo 3.1 Standard | $11.25 |
| Background music track | Lyria 3 Clip | $0.04 |
| Total | ~$13.29 |
Scenario 2: Generate 100 product demo videos
| Component | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 100 × 8-sec videos (Veo 3.1 Fast) | 100 × $1.20 | $120 |
| 100 × background music clips | 100 × $0.04 | $4 |
| Total | $124 |
Scenario 3: Produce a full music album (12 songs)
| Component | Calculation | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 12 × full songs (Lyria 3 Pro) | 12 × $0.08 | $0.96 |
| Extra iterations (3× per song) | 36 × $0.08 | $2.88 |
| Total | ~$3.84 |
A full 12-track album for under $4. That’s the power of AI music generation in 2026.
🔧 Access & Availability
| Service | Free Tier | Paid Required | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veo 3.1 | ❌ | ✅ | Gemini API, Vertex AI |
| Veo 3 | ❌ | ✅ | Gemini API, Vertex AI |
| Veo 2 | ❌ | ✅ | Gemini API, Vertex AI |
| Lyria 3 Clip | Limited | ✅ | Gemini API, AI Studio |
| Lyria 3 Pro | Limited | ✅ | Gemini API, AI Studio |
✅ Key Takeaways
- Veo 3.1 Lite ($0.05–$0.08/sec) is the budget choice for video generation
- Veo 3.1 Standard delivers the highest quality with native audio at ~$0.40–$0.75/sec
- Lyria 3 Pro at $0.08 per 3-minute song is absurdly cheap for music generation
- Use Lite/Fast tiers for drafts, then Standard for final renders to minimize costs
- All Veo models require a paid tier — no free access
- Lyria models are available in preview on the Gemini API and Google AI Studio
Get Started
Try Veo in Google AI Studio or explore the Gemini API video docs. For music, check out Lyria 3 docs.
Prices are current as of May 2026. Always verify with Google’s official documentation before production deployment.
