Introduction
Text-to-video for Veo 3.1 Lite: write a prompt and get a 720p draft clip of 4 to 8 seconds with generated sound.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Input | Text |
| Output | Video |
| Publisher | |
| Status at Google | Preview model (listed on Google Cloud since April 2, 2026) |
| Clip length | 4, 6 or 8 seconds (reference mode: 8 seconds) |
| Resolution | 720p here: 1280x720 (16:9) or 720x1280 (9:16); Google lists 1080p as the ceiling for Lite |
| Frame rate | 24 fps |
| Sound | Generated in every clip; no silent option here |
| Inputs | Text; first frame with optional last frame; up to 3 reference images (a SpicyAPI mode) |
Key features & highlights
A whole beat from one photo
One reference photo of a man with a road map beside a pale blue convertible. The prompt asked him to fold the map, look up at the sky and grin. In 8 seconds he read the map, folded it, tucked it away, then tipped his head back and grinned, with the car, the jacket and the gas station kept from the photo.
First and last frame at draft prices
The same first and last frames we sent to Veo 3.1 and Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash, at 6 seconds for $0.27. She turned from the telescope, crossed her arms and ended leaning on the railing, matching the closing frame.
A quick read on a prompt
Our observatory prompt at 4 seconds: the dome's shutter opened wider on a desert ridge with saguaro cacti, the camera pushed forward along the railing, and a brass telescope came into view. Enough to judge framing, light and motion before spending more on a higher tier.
Portrait photo in, vertical clip out
With a portrait photo as the first frame and the aspect ratio left on auto, the clip came back 720x1280. She looked up, smiled and looked back to the camera within 4 seconds.
Request parameters
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
prompt | Yes | Required. Name the subject, what it does, how the camera moves and what should be heard; wrap spoken lines in quotes. at least 1 characters · at most 4000 characters |
aspect_ratio | No | 16:9 (default, 1280x720) or 9:16 (720x1280); the price stays the same. |
duration_seconds | No | 4, 6 or 8 seconds, default 8. The price rises with length: $0.18, $0.27, $0.36. |
Pricing
Billed per clip by length: $0.18 for 4 seconds, $0.27 for 6 and $0.36 for 8. Aspect ratio and sound do not change the price. If a request fails or is declined, you pay nothing.
| Specification | Price |
|---|---|
| $0.18 / request |
| $0.27 / request |
| $0.36 / request |
Use cases
Checking a prompt before a bigger render
A prompt you settle on Lite at $0.18 can go to Veo 3.1 Fast or Veo 3.1 with only the model name changed. Text-to-video and image-to-video take the same fields on all three tiers.
Many variations of one idea
Try other camera moves, lighting or wording at 4 seconds each. Ten 4-second drafts cost $1.80, less than one 6-second clip on Veo 3.1 ($2.16), and a hundred cost $18.
Animating photos in bulk
With the aspect ratio on auto, image to video follows the shape of each picture: portrait photos come back vertical, landscape photos wide.
Trying a reference-led shot
SpicyAPI also offers reference to video on Lite: 1 to 3 images in, an 8-second clip out, $0.36. Google's documentation does not list reference images for Lite, so compare the result with your pictures before building a workflow on it.
Prompt guide & pro tips
Write the whole beat
In an 8-second reference clip Lite followed a three-part action: fold the map, look up, grin. List the steps in order and allow roughly 2 to 3 seconds for each.
Leave aspect ratio on auto for photos
On image to video, auto keeps the shape of your first frame, while 16:9 or 9:16 crops to that shape.
Add a sound line
Finish the prompt with "Sound:" and the ambience you want, and put spoken words in quotes. Every clip has sound at no extra cost.
Move up only when a draft earns it
Once a draft works, send the same request to Veo 3.1 Fast ($0.36 for 4 seconds) for standard production work, or to Veo 3.1 ($1.44) when fidelity matters most. Only the model name changes.
Introduction
Veo 3.1 Lite Text to video is where most drafts start. Describe a scene and get back a 720p clip of 4, 6 or 8 seconds with sound, in 16:9 or 9:16. A 4-second clip costs $0.18, so you can try five wordings of one idea before committing to a bigger render. Google screens prompts and images before generating, and a request it declines fails without a charge.
Other ways to start a Veo 3.1 Lite clip
- A written scene: Veo 3.1 Lite Text to video (you are here)
- Your own first frame, with an optional last frame: Veo 3.1 Lite Image to video
- Photos to keep (a SpicyAPI mode on top of Lite): Veo 3.1 Lite Reference to video
- A clip to continue (a SpicyAPI mode that chains segments): Veo 3.1 Lite Video extend
Prompt tips
- Write in the order it happens: place and light, subject, action, camera move, sound.
- Put spoken lines in quotes and name the ambience you want to hear.
- Draft at 4 seconds, keep the wording that works, then lengthen to 8.
API quick start
# Generate the idempotency key once; reuse it when retrying after a lost response.
export SPICY_IDEMPOTENCY_KEY="${SPICY_IDEMPOTENCY_KEY:-$(uuidgen)}"
curl -X POST https://api.spicyapi.ai/api/v1/jobs/createTask \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $SPICY_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "Idempotency-Key: $SPICY_IDEMPOTENCY_KEY" \
-d '{
"model": "google/veo-3.1-lite/text-to-video",
"input": {
"prompt": "A slow aerial shot drifting over a misty pine forest at sunrise",
"aspect_ratio": "16:9",
"duration_seconds": 8
}
}'
# Copy data.taskId from the response into TASK_ID, then poll the status.
TASK_ID="TASK_ID_FROM_RESPONSE"
curl "https://api.spicyapi.ai/api/v1/jobs/recordInfo?taskId=$TASK_ID" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $SPICY_API_KEY"
See the API reference for authentication, the complete schema, polling, and error handling.