grok-imagine-video: video generation
On this page
Generative video by xAI
Since January 2026, xAI has offered video generation via the API with the grok-imagine-video model. This capability lets you create video clips from text descriptions or reference images, opening up new possibilities for marketing content, visual prototypes, and communication.
Generation modes
The grok-imagine-video model supports several creation modes:
Text-to-video
The most direct mode: you provide a text description and the model generates a corresponding video. The description needs to be detailed to get satisfactory results—movement, ambiance, visual style, desired duration.
Image-to-video
You provide a starting image and the model animates it. This mode is particularly useful for bringing existing illustrations to life, creating parallax effects on photos, or animating mockups.
Video extension
You can extend an existing video by adding additional seconds. The model maintains visual consistency with the original sequence.
Pricing
Billing is per second of generated video:
| Model | Cost | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| grok-imagine-video | $0.050 / second | 60 RPM |
For a rough idea: a 10-second video costs $0.50, and a full minute comes to $3.00. Factor this cost into your production volume planning.
Batch API for videos
Since March 2026, the Batch API also supports video generation. Like images, batch videos are billed at the standard rate—the 20% discount for eligible text models does not apply to media (xAI batch pricing).
Batch mode suits productions that don’t require immediate results: marketing campaigns, planned content series, clip library generation.
Practical considerations
Generation time
Video generation is naturally slower than image generation. Plan for appropriate timeouts in your API clients, and consider asynchronous processing if you’re generating multiple videos.
Quality and consistency
Generative video remains a rapidly evolving field. Results are impressive for short clips and relatively simple scenes, but complex scenes with lots of movement or character interactions may show artifacts.
Cost at scale
At $0.050 per second, costs can add up quickly. For regular production, calculate your budget based on the volume of video seconds you need. One minute of video per day represents about $90 per month.
Relevant use cases
- Teasers and trailers —short clips for social media
- Product animations —rotate an object, show a feature
- Educational content —animated illustrations of abstract concepts
- Video prototyping —test concepts before moving to actual production
- Personalized content —videos tailored to each audience segment
Pricing as of August 5, 2026 —prices change regularly: before any budget calculation, check the current rate card on the official xAI models and pricing page.
Key takeaways
grok-imagine-videocharges $0.050 per second of generated video- Three modes available: text-to-video, image-to-video, extension
- Limit is 60 requests per minute
- Batch API is available but without price reduction
- Plan for generous timeouts for video generation requests
- Calculate your budget in video seconds to avoid surprises