Set product defaults to the shortest useful clip length.
Use case calculator
Estimate AI video API cost per second
Compare AI video API cost per second across providers and estimate monthly API spend with retries, clip length, and quality settings.
Estimated monthly cost$120$0.40 per usable video on VeoOfficial unit rate ยท Global, subject to API availabilityOfficial pricing
Cheapest active estimatePixVerse$60.00 per month with these inputsOfficial pricing
Cost per finished minute$6.00Uses final usable seconds, not every generated attempt
Retry exposure1,200 sec600 total generations for 300 usable videos
Billable workload2,400 secGemini API lists Veo 3.1 Lite video with audio at $0.05/sec for 720p and $0.08/sec for 1080p; Fast at $0.10/sec for 720p, $0.12/sec for 1080p, and $0.30/sec for 4K; Standard at $0.40/sec for 720p/1080p and $0.60/sec for 4K.
Savings vs current cost$0.00Enter a current cost per video to compare monthly savings
Active platformMonthlyPer usable video
PixVerseCheapest active$60.00$0.20Hailuo$74.40$0.25Haiper$79.20$0.26Hunyuan Video$100$0.33Luma AI$115$0.38VeoSelected$120$0.40Vidu$120$0.40Kling AI$200$0.67Wan$206$0.69Pika$230$0.77Adobe Firefly$240$0.80Runway$288$0.96Seedance$363$1.21Historical or sunset references
Last updatedMay 27, 2026
Source policyOfficial-source pricing
Ranking policyNo paid ranking changes
Review trailPricing updates
This workflow estimate uses the same cost model as the main calculator, with official pricing links and source-confidence labels shown on the page.
Quick answer
How much does this AI video scenario cost?
For 300 usable videos per month, 4-second clips, 1 retries, and Standard quality, the lowest active estimate is Veo at $120 per month.
Monthly estimate$120
Per usable video$0.40
Finished minute$6.00
Use case calculator
Estimate AI video API cost per second
Teams adding video generation to a product need a unit-cost view before they expose the feature to users. This page models API-style cost per second, accepted output, and failed attempts so a prototype budget does not turn into uncontrolled usage.
Default scenario300 usable videos per month
Clip length and retries4s clips with 1 retries each
Quality modeStandard output estimate
Budget signals to model
- Model accepted user-visible clips separately from backend attempts, moderation rejects, and regeneration flows.
- Use short default durations during prototype testing so usage caps can catch unexpected demand.
- Compare providers with official unit rates first when predictable API billing matters more than manual creator features.
Workflow notes
- Add per-user daily limits before launching a public generation feature.
- Log seconds requested, seconds accepted, retry reason, and provider result status from the first dry run.
- Keep a fallback provider disabled until real usage proves it is needed.
Related calculators
Compare platforms for this workload
VeoHigh-end video experiments and Google ecosystem workflowsGemini API lists Veo 3.1 Lite video with audio at $0.05/sec for 720p and $0.08/sec for 1080p; Fast at $0.10/sec for 720p, $0.12/sec for 1080p, and $0.30/sec for 4K; Standard at $0.40/sec for 720p/1080p and $0.60/sec for 4K.RunwayTeams comparing Runway API models and web subscription valueRunway API credits cost $0.01 each; Gen-4.5 is 12 credits/sec and Veo 3.1 audio is 40 credits/sec.SeedanceHigh-quality short video generation with strong motion and Asia-market availabilityBytePlus ModelArk prices video by output tokens; 720p at 24fps is about $0.151/sec at $7 per 1M tokens.ViduDevelopers who want transparent Q3 per-second API pricingVidu API credits cost $0.005 each; Q3 540p is $0.05/sec, 720p is $0.125/sec, and 1080p is $0.15/sec.
Default scenario cost snapshot
Veo is the lowest active estimate for this setup
This static snapshot uses the page's default workload so searchers can compare monthly cost, cost per usable video, and finished-minute cost before adjusting the interactive calculator.
PlatformMonthly costPer usable videoFinished minutePricing source
Default scenario: 300 usable videos/month, 4s each, 1 retries, Standard quality.
Pricing sources
Official pricing sources used for this estimate
These source links show where the calculator assumptions for this workload come from. Platforms marked as needing a logged-in check are useful for planning, but should be verified inside the provider account before a paid workflow is scaled.
PlatformSource qualityReviewedPricing basis
VeoOfficial unit rate2026-05-26Gemini API lists Veo 3.1 Lite video with audio at $0.05/sec for 720p and $0.08/sec for 1080p; Fast at $0.10/sec for 720p, $0.12/sec for 1080p, and $0.30/sec for 4K; Standard at $0.40/sec for 720p/1080p and $0.60/sec for 4K.RunwayOfficial unit rate2026-05-17Runway API credits cost $0.01 each; Gen-4.5 is 12 credits/sec and Veo 3.1 audio is 40 credits/sec.SeedanceOfficial unit rate2026-05-17BytePlus ModelArk prices video by output tokens; 720p at 24fps is about $0.151/sec at $7 per 1M tokens.ViduOfficial unit rate2026-05-17Vidu API credits cost $0.005 each; Q3 540p is $0.05/sec, 720p is $0.125/sec, and 1080p is $0.15/sec.Calculator rankings are based on active availability and cost model assumptions, not paid placement.
Scenarios
Example planning scenarios
Internal prototype300 accepted 4-second clips/month, 1 retry
Short clips keep the test small while still exposing provider quality and latency.
Use hard caps and alerts before inviting more testers.User-facing beta1,000+ generations with strict per-user limits
The main risk is users regenerating repeatedly when quality is inconsistent.
Charge, gate, or queue generation before opening unlimited use.Automation workflowScheduled short clips for reports, ads, or templates
Predictable volume is easier to budget than open-ended user prompts.
Prefer providers with stable per-second API pricing and clear output limits.Cost drivers
What changes the estimate most?
These cost drivers are specific to this workflow and help separate the platform bill from the production decisions that usually change the final budget.
Limit retries, show previews, and record why clips are rejected.
Reserve premium generation for paid users or approved workflows.
Decision notes
How to use this estimate
- Use API cost per second for product planning, not creator subscription budgeting.
- Keep public launch disabled until spend limits, abuse controls, and provider failure handling are tested.
- Compare official unit-rate platforms before using provisional credit estimates.
Next calculators
Related cost questions
FAQ
AI Video API Cost Per Second Calculator FAQ
How should I estimate AI video API cost per second?
Start with the number of usable videos you need each month, multiply by clip length, and add retries for failed or rejected generations. Then compare platforms by quality level and pricing model.
What default scenario does this ai video api cost per second calculator use?
This page starts with 300 usable videos per month, 4-second clips, 1 retries per usable video, and Standard quality. You can change those inputs in the calculator.
Which platform is cheapest for this AI video API cost per second scenario?
Veo is the lowest active estimate for the default scenario on this page at $120 per month, or $0.40 per usable video. Recheck the official pricing source before buying because AI video prices and credit rules can change.
Why do retries matter for AI video cost?
Retries matter because most teams pay for generated attempts, not only final clips. Cost per usable video is usually higher than the provider's raw per-second or credit price.