Short answer: Grok Imagine is the image and video generator built into Grok by xAI (now SpaceXSI). Its current models are Grok Imagine Image 2.0 and Grok Imagine Video 1.5. Video 1.5 turns text or images into clips of 1 to 15 seconds, up to 1080p, with native lip-synced audio. You can use it in the Grok apps and on grok.com, with higher limits on paid plans, or through the xAI API from about $0.02 per image or per second of video.
Below: what Grok Imagine can do, how to use it step by step, prompt tips, pricing and the important rules on safe and legal use.
Checked against xAI documentation on November 2, 2026.
What can Grok Imagine do?
Image generation and editing (Image 2.0)
Create images from a text description, or upload an image and ask Grok to change it: new background, different style, extra objects and so on. The API offers 1K and 2K output (xAI models).
Video generation (Video 1.5)
According to xAI’s video documentation, Video 1.5 supports:
- Text-to-video and image-to-video
- Clips of 1 to 15 seconds
- Native resolution up to 1080p (480p and 720p also available)
- Native audio with lip sync
- Up to 14 reference images and three voice references
- Pinned first frame, last frame and keyframes for more control
Read xAI’s announcement: Grok Imagine Video 1.5.
Grok Imagine features at a glance
| Feature | Image 2.0 | Video 1.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Input | Text, image | Text, image(s), voice references |
| Output | Images at 1K / 2K (API) | 480p, 720p, 1080p video |
| Length | — | 1–15 seconds |
| Audio | — | Native, lip-synced |
| Editing | Yes | Keyframe control |
| API starting price | ~$0.02 per image | ~$0.02 per second |
How to create AI images with Grok Imagine
- Open grok.com or the Grok app and sign in.
- Choose Imagine.
- Describe what you want. Be specific: subject, setting, lighting, style, camera angle and aspect ratio.
- Generate, then pick the best result.
- Refine with follow-up instructions, such as “make it dusk” or “remove the text.”
- Download, and check the result for errors such as warped hands or garbled text before you publish.
Example prompt: “A modern home office in London at golden hour, laptop showing a spreadsheet, plants on the desk, soft natural light, photorealistic, 16:9.”
How to create AI videos with Grok Imagine
- In Imagine, start from text or upload a still image.
- Describe the motion: “slow camera push-in, steam rising from the coffee cup.”
- Add dialogue or sound if you want audio (“a calm narrator says: …”).
- Choose length and resolution your plan allows. Super and above can create 1080p, 15-second videos (x.ai/pricing).
- Generate, review and regenerate if the motion looks unnatural.
Pro tip: Generate a strong still image first, then animate it. You’ll get more consistent results than starting from text alone.
Prompt tips that work
- Lead with the subject, then add setting, style and lighting.
- Name the format: “vertical 9:16 for Reels,” “16:9 for YouTube.”
- Keep video actions simple: one main motion per clip.
- Use reference images for consistent characters or products.
- Avoid real people and brands unless you have the rights (see below).
Grok Imagine pricing and limits
| Access | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited Grok usage; Imagine availability may be restricted |
| Plus | $8/mo | More usage |
| Premium | $30/mo | “Make stunning AI images & videos” with 4x Plus usage |
| Super | $100/mo | Significantly higher Imagine usage; 1080p, 15s videos |
| Ultra | $200/mo | 50x Plus usage |
| API | From ~$0.02/image or ~$0.02/second of video | Pay as you go |
Source: x.ai/pricing, xAI models. Exact free-tier limits are not published in detail, so we don’t quote a number. Full plan details are in Is Grok AI free?
For developers: the Imagine API
Developers send a request to POST https://api.x.ai/v1/videos/generations with a model, prompt, optional image, duration, aspect ratio and resolution, then poll GET /v1/videos/{request_id} until the status is done (xAI API reference). This makes it practical to build product videos, social clips or ad variations at scale.
Grok Imagine vs other AI video tools
| Grok Imagine | Google (Gemini plans) | ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video | Yes, up to 15s 1080p with audio | Yes, via Google’s video models and Flow | Focus on images |
| Images | Image 2.0 | Nano Banana Pro | Built-in image creation |
| Bundled with | Grok, Cursor, X Premium | Google storage and Workspace | ChatGPT features |
Safety, copyright and legal use
This section matters. Grok’s image tools were widely criticised after reports that loosened restrictions allowed them to be used to create non-consensual sexual imagery (TechCrunch). Follow these rules:
- Never create sexual or degrading images of real people, and never anything involving minors. This is illegal in many countries, including under UK and EU law.
- Don’t use real people’s likeness (celebrities, politicians, including Elon Musk or Donald Trump) in ways that could mislead or defame.
- Avoid trademarks and copyrighted characters in commercial work.
- Label AI-generated content where platforms or laws require it; the EU AI Act includes transparency duties for synthetic media.
- Check the terms on commercial use before using outputs in ads.
Ten prompt templates for Grok Imagine
| Goal | Prompt template |
|---|---|
| Blog header | “Minimal flat illustration of [topic], navy and teal palette, 16:9, no text, clean background.” |
| Product shot | “Studio photo of a [product] on a white marble surface, soft shadows, 1:1, photorealistic.” |
| Social reel | “Vertical 9:16 video, slow pan across a cosy café with rain on the window, gentle ambient sound.” |
| Explainer intro | “5-second animation of a glowing network of nodes forming the shape of a brain, dark background.” |
| Real estate mood | “Bright modern living room with large windows at sunrise, wide angle, photorealistic.” |
| Food | “Overhead shot of a colourful salad bowl on a wooden table, natural light, 4:5.” |
| Travel | “Drone-style video over a desert at golden hour with distant city skyline, 10 seconds, wind sound.” |
| Icon set | “Set of 6 simple line icons for finance topics: tax, savings, invoice, calculator, bank, chart.” |
| Character | “Friendly cartoon robot assistant waving, simple shapes, pastel colours, transparent-style background.” |
| Before/after edit | Upload a photo, then: “Replace the background with a plain light-grey studio backdrop.” |
Tip: add “no text” to image prompts. AI images often render text badly; add text later in a design tool.
Step-by-step: from still image to finished short video
- Generate a key frame. Create a strong still image in Imagine and pick the best version.
- Animate it. Choose image-to-video and describe one clear motion: “camera slowly moves forward.”
- Add audio. Describe ambient sound or a short line of dialogue. Video 1.5 creates native, lip-synced audio (xAI).
- Control the ending. If available, pin the last frame so the clip ends where you want.
- Review closely. Check hands, faces, text and physics at full screen.
- Edit and caption. Trim in a video editor and add captions for accessibility.
- Disclose. Label the clip as AI-generated where the platform or law requires it.
Practical use cases
| Who | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bloggers | Featured images | Abstract illustrations for article headers |
| Small shops | Product mock-ups | Lifestyle scenes for a new product |
| Teachers | Visual aids | Diagrams and simple animations for lessons |
| Marketers | Ad variations | Several 6-second clips to A/B test |
| Developers | Automated media | API-generated thumbnails at scale |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Images and video with audio in one place | Best video limits (1080p, 15s) need the $100 Super plan |
| Fast results and easy refinement | Free access is limited and not clearly quantified |
| API for automation from about $0.02 per image | Safety controversies around misuse |
| Reference images for consistent characters | Text inside images is often unreliable |
Regional and legal notes
- EU: The EU AI Act includes transparency obligations for AI-generated or manipulated content such as deepfakes. If you publish synthetic media to EU audiences, label it clearly.
- UK: Creating or sharing sexually explicit deepfakes of real people without consent is a criminal offence. Never use Imagine this way.
- US: Laws vary by state, and federal rules on non-consensual intimate imagery have been tightened. Avoid real people’s likeness unless you have permission.
- Canada and UAE: Privacy, defamation and content laws apply to AI images just as to photos; the UAE in particular has strict rules on content that harms reputation.
- Prices: xAI lists prices in USD excluding tax; UK VAT is 20% (GOV.UK), UAE VAT is 5% (FTA) and EU rates vary by country.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Troubleshooting common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Faces or hands look distorted | Regenerate, simplify the scene, or use a close-up instead of a crowd |
| Text in the image is garbled | Add “no text” and add lettering later in a design tool |
| Video motion looks unnatural | Describe one simple movement and shorten the clip |
| Characters change between clips | Use reference images and the same descriptive wording each time |
| Request refused | Your prompt may break content rules; remove real people, violence or explicit content |
| Hit a usage limit | Wait for the limit to reset or consider a higher plan |
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advice. Laws, pricing and product features (including AI regulations such as GDPR, the EU AI Act and UAE rules) change frequently and vary by country. Verify details with official sources and consult a qualified professional before acting. taxtotech.com is not affiliated with xAI, X, OpenAI, Anthropic or Google.
FAQ
Is Grok Imagine free?
There is free access to Grok with limits, but heavier image and video generation needs a paid plan. Premium ($30 a month) explicitly includes image and video creation.
How long can Grok Imagine videos be?
Video 1.5 creates clips from 1 to 15 seconds. 15-second 1080p video is listed on the Super plan and above.
Does Grok Imagine make videos with sound?
Yes. Video 1.5 generates native audio, including lip-synced speech.
Can I use Grok Imagine for commercial projects?
Possibly, but review xAI’s terms and avoid real people, logos and copyrighted characters.
Can I use Grok Imagine through an API?
Yes. The xAI API supports image and video generation, starting at about $0.02 per image or per second of video.
Is Grok Imagine safe to use?
The tool itself is safe for normal creative work, but it has been misused. Use it responsibly and follow the law in your country.
Conclusion
Grok Imagine is one of the most complete AI creative tools bundled into a chatbot: fast images, editable stills and short videos with real audio. It’s ideal for social content, mock-ups and product visuals. Use it with care, keep real people out of your prompts, and pair it with Grok’s text skills from our guide on how to use Grok AI for research, writing and coding.
