Microsoft
Image generation model
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash is the lower-latency, lower-cost member of the [MAI-Image-2.6](/microsoft/mai-image-2.6) family from Microsoft AI, built for latency-sensitive, high-throughput production image generation and editing at comparable quality to the precision tier.
At a glance
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $19
- Image Elo
- 1306
- Editing Elo
- 1265
- Max prompt
- 4K
- Released
- Sep 2026
Pricing
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash price per image
What one image costs, the underlying API rates, and what bigger batches add up to.
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available |
|---|---|
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $19 |
| Tokens per imageFor one ~1MP image | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $1.75 |
Single image
1 image
Not available
Social media batch
50 images
Not available
Product catalog
1,000 images
Not available
Quality
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash image quality rankings
Elo ratings from Design Arena, where people vote between two anonymous images made from the same prompt. Higher is better.
Image generation
#31306
Wins 60.1% of head-to-head votes
Image editing
#21265
Wins 59% of head-to-head votes
Graphic design
#31307
Wins 61% of head-to-head votes
Logos
#31268
Wins 55.8% of head-to-head votes
Rank is the model’s position on the Design Arena leaderboard for each category.
Specs
Inputs, outputs, and creative controls
What it accepts, what it gives back, and which controls you get.
- Accepts
- Image, Text
- Produces
- Image
- Max prompt length
- 4K tokens
- Reasoning step
- No
- Release date
- September 4, 2026
- Image editingAccepts reference or source images
- Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made
- Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step
- Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image
- Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety
Compare
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs other models
See how MAI-Image-2.6 Flash stacks up head to head on price, benchmarks, and features.
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
Microsoft vs Sourceful
See comparisonMAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs MAI-Image-2.6
Microsoft vs Microsoft
See comparison
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana 2
Microsoft vs Google
See comparisonMAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana Pro
Microsoft vs Google
See comparisonMAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs MAI-Image-2.5
Microsoft vs Microsoft
See comparisonMAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs FLUX.2 Flex
Microsoft vs Black Forest Labs
See comparisonMore MAI-Image-2.6 Flash comparisons
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs FLUX.2 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Seedream 4.5
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Nano Banana 2.1
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs GPT Image 1
Alternatives
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash alternatives
Similar models worth considering, and where each one has the edge.
Microsoft
MAI-Image-2.6
Nano Banana 2.1
inclusionAI
Ming Image 0.1 Design
Want to learn about other models? Browse all models
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does MAI-Image-2.6 Flash cost per image?
MAI-Image-2.6 Flash charges $19 per 1M image output tokens. The token count for one image is not available, so there is no per-image price.
Can MAI-Image-2.6 Flash edit existing images?
Yes. MAI-Image-2.6 Flash accepts reference images, so you can upload a photo and ask for changes like a new background, a different style, or added text.
What is the best alternative to MAI-Image-2.6 Flash?
MAI-Image-2.6 from Microsoft is a strong alternative. It offers: better at image generation, better at graphic design, better at logos.
Can I use MAI-Image-2.6 Flash alongside other image models?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to MAI-Image-2.6 Flash and any other image models you pick at the same time, so you can compare results side by side.
Try MAI-Image-2.6 Flash next to every other image model.
Use MAI-Image-2.6 Flash alongside all the other image models. Use one at a time, or multiple together. Get the best image from AI.