Seedream 5 Lite
ByteDance's value tier of the Seedream 5 family: image generation with built-in reasoning, example-based editing, and deep domain knowledge. Seedream 5 Lite outputs 2K, 3K, or even 4K images — all at the same flat $0.0275 per image — and accepts up to 10 reference images for edits and composition.
20% less than the priciest provider (5 compared). Same model, same output.
Optional reference images to edit or compose from (up to 10). Leave empty for pure text-to-image.
Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio of the generated image. 'auto' lets the model infer framing from your prompt and inputs where supported.
Resolution
Output resolution tier: 2K (basic), 3K (high) or 4K (ultra). Same price at every tier; 4K runs on fewer providers.
20% less than the priciest provider (5 compared). Same model, same output.
Your result renders here.
Use Seedream 5 Lite via the API
Generate with Seedream 5 Lite from your own code. Async by design: submit a generation, get a run id back instantly, poll until it completes. Billed in credits at the best available provider price — $0.0275 per image, flat.
1 — Start a generation
curl -X POST https://app.scenetra.com/api/v1/generate/seedream5lite \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"prompt":"a watercolor fox in falling snow, soft light","aspect_ratio":"1:1","resolution":"2K"}'Response (202)
{
"runId": "run_abc123",
"status": "PENDING",
"model": "seedream5lite",
"estimatedCredits": 28,
"statusUrl": "/api/v1/runs/run_abc123"
}2 — Poll until COMPLETED (every 2-5 seconds)
curl https://app.scenetra.com/api/v1/runs/run_abc123 \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"Response
{
"runId": "run_abc123",
"status": "COMPLETED",
"progress": { "completed": 1, "total": 1 },
"outputs": [
{ "type": "image", "url": "https://images.scenetra.com/..." }
],
"error": null,
"estimatedCredits": 28
}Request fields
| Field | Type | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| prompt* | string | Describe the image to generate, or the edit to apply to the input images. | — |
| image_urls | string[] (https URLs) | Optional reference images to edit or compose from (up to 10). Leave empty for pure text-to-image. | — |
| aspect_ratio | string | Aspect ratio of the generated image. 'auto' lets the model infer framing from your prompt and inputs where supported.auto · 21:9 · 16:9 · 3:2 · 4:3 · 1:1 · 3:4 · 2:3 · 9:16 | 1:1 |
| resolution | string | Output resolution tier: 2K (basic), 3K (high) or 4K (ultra). Same price at every tier; 4K runs on fewer providers.2K · 3K · 4K | 2K |
| callbackUrl | string (https URL) | Optional. When the run finishes (completed or failed), we POST the final run status to this URL — same shape as the poll response, plus model, params, and chargedCredits. Best-effort; polling remains the source of truth. | |
Unknown fields are rejected with a helpful 400. Media fields take https URLs. There is no provider parameter — every run is routed to the cheapest capable provider automatically.
Good to know
Billing
Runs bill your account credits at provider cost with 0% markup. The submit response includes the credit estimate; failed generations are refunded automatically. Add ?dryRun=1 to get the estimate without running anything.
Errors
Errors are always { "error": { "code", "message" } } with stable codes: unauthorized, model_not_available, invalid_parameter, insufficient_credits, rate_limited. A failed run is not an HTTP error — poll responses report status: "FAILED" with the reason.
What makes Seedream 5 Lite different
4K output at a 2K price
Seedream 5 Lite charges the same flat $0.0275 per image whether you render at 2K, 3K, or full 4K. Most models charge a steep premium for resolution — here the ultra tier costs exactly what the basic tier costs, which makes Lite one of the cheapest ways to get genuine 4K AI images anywhere. Billed at provider cost with 0% markup.
Reasoning built into generation
Lite isn't a stripped-down renderer: ByteDance built reasoning and deep domain knowledge into the model, so it handles prompts that require understanding — diagrams that must be plausible, scenes with implied logic, edits described by intent rather than pixel-level instruction. It figures out what you mean before it paints.
Example-based editing with up to 10 references
Show the model what you want instead of describing it: attach up to 10 input images and Seedream 5 Lite can apply the demonstrated style or transformation to new content, edit a shot in place, or compose elements from several sources. On a Scenetra board, references wire in from uploads or other nodes' outputs.
The volume tier of the Seedream 5 family
At $0.0275 per image, a dollar buys about 36 generations — Lite is built for iteration, batches, and series work. When a frame needs the fidelity tier instead, Seedream 5 Pro sits one node away on the same board, so the same prompt moves between tiers without leaving your workflow.
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prompt* | text | Describe the image to generate, or the edit to apply to the input images. | — |
| Input Images | image upload | Optional reference images to edit or compose from (up to 10). Leave empty for pure text-to-image. | — |
| Aspect Ratio | select | Aspect ratio of the generated image. Auto lets the model infer framing from your prompt and inputs where supported.auto · 21:9 · 16:9 · 3:2 · 4:3 · 1:1 · 3:4 · 2:3 · 9:16 | 1:1 |
| Resolution | select | Output resolution tier: 2K (basic), 3K (high), or 4K (ultra).2K · 3K · 4K | 2K |
Pricing
$0.0275 per image, flat
Pay per generation — only pay for what you use.
2K
$0.0275
per image
3K
$0.0275
per image
4K
$0.0275
per image
Use cases
Marketing & ads
- A/B creative variants in bulk
- 4K campaign assets at draft-tier cost
- Moodboards in minutes
- Localized ad imagery
E-commerce
- Catalog variants at low cost
- Product edits from example images
- Seasonal listing refreshes
- Lifestyle composites from references
Social content
- Daily posting pipelines
- Vertical 9:16 visuals
- Consistent multi-post series
- Thumbnails and covers at 4K
Design & concept art
- Wide style exploration on a budget
- Diagram-style and knowledge-heavy images
- Client option rounds in volume
- Print-ready 4K exports
Frequently asked questions
What is Seedream 5 Lite?+
Seedream 5 Lite is the value tier of ByteDance's Seedream 5 image family. It generates images from text with built-in reasoning and deep domain knowledge, supports example-based editing with up to 10 reference images, and outputs at 2K, 3K, or 4K. On Scenetra it runs as a node in the visual workflow editor, next to Seedream 5 Pro and Seedream 4.5.
How much does Seedream 5 Lite cost?+
A flat $0.0275 per image on Scenetra — the same price at 2K, 3K, and 4K. There is no resolution surcharge, no subscription requirement, and generations are billed at provider cost with 0% markup from your credit balance.
Can Seedream 5 Lite really generate 4K images?+
Yes — 4K (ultra) is a native output tier, and it costs the same $0.0275 as 2K. That makes Lite an unusually cheap route to 4K deliverables: iterate and finalize at the same price point instead of paying a premium for the final render.
What is example-based editing?+
Instead of describing an edit purely in words, you attach reference images that demonstrate the style or transformation you want, and the model applies it. Combined with up to 10 input images and prompt guidance, this covers restyling, in-place edits, and composing elements from several sources.
Should I use Seedream 5 Lite or Seedream 5 Pro?+
Lite for volume and iteration — flat $0.0275 per image up to 4K. Pro for maximum fidelity on final, client-facing frames at $0.035 (1K) to $0.07 (2K). On Scenetra you can run both from the same board and compare outputs on the same prompt before choosing.
Is Seedream 5 Lite free to try?+
Seedream 5 Lite is a paid model, but a cheap one to try: $0.0275 per image, pay-per-generation from your credit balance.
Related models
Seedream 5 Pro
ByteDance's most advanced image generation and editing model. Seedream 5 Pro delivers high-fidelity output at 1K (about 2MP) or 2K (about 4MP), supports up to 10 reference images for editing and composition, and covers nine aspect ratios from ultrawide 21:9 to vertical 9:16 — including an Auto mode that infers framing from your prompt.
View model →Seedream 4.5
ByteDance's upgraded image generation model with improved quality, text rendering, and image editing capabilities. Seedream 4.5 excels at detailed compositions and accurate text in images, making it ideal for marketing and creative content.
View model →Nano Banana 2 Lite
The fastest, cheapest member of Google's Nano Banana family: roughly 4-second 1K image generation and editing at a flat $0.034 per image. Nano Banana 2 Lite accepts up to 14 input images for edits and references, supports eleven aspect ratios including an Auto mode, and outputs PNG or JPEG.
View model →Grok Imagine 2
xAI's Grok Imagine Image 2.0 — fast, expressive image generation and single-image editing. Grok Imagine 2 renders at 1K or 2K for the same flat price, offers a low-quality draft mode alongside its best-quality medium tier, and covers eight aspect ratios including an Auto framing mode.
View model →Start creating with Seedream 5 Lite
Use Seedream 5 Lite alongside 50+ other AI models in Scenetra's visual workflow editor. No setup required.
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