Seedream 4.0
Seedream 4.0 is a multimodal image generation model from ByteDance. It natively accepts text, single-image, and multi-image inputs, returns either a single image or a consistent set, and renders up to 4K resolution at $0.03 per image. Your use subject to ByteDance's Terms & Privacy Policies.
import { experimental_generateImage as generateImage } from 'ai';
const result = await generateImage({ model: 'bytedance/seedream-4.0', prompt: 'A red balloon on a wooden table.'});Playground
Try out Seedream 4.0 by ByteDance. Usage is billed to your team at API rates. Free users (those who haven't made a payment) get $5 of credits every 30 days.
Seedream 4.0
Your generated image will appear here
Providers
Route requests across multiple providers. Copy a provider slug to set your preference. Visit the docs for more info. Using a provider means you agree to their terms, listed under Legal.
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About Seedream 4.0
Seedream 4.0 was released September 9, 2025 as a multimodal image creation model from ByteDance. It extends beyond text-to-image generation by accepting text, single-image, and multi-image inputs natively in a single endpoint, then returning either one image or a set of related images with consistent subjects.
Multi-image input opens workflows that earlier text-to-image models couldn't cover in one call. You can blend several reference images, edit a source photograph with prompt-driven changes, or generate a series of frames that hold a subject's identity across scenes. ByteDance positions this as the foundation for catalog generation, batch editing, and reference-consistent series production.
Output resolution reaches up to 4K, which suits print layouts, hero imagery, and high-resolution editorial use without a separate upscaling step. ByteDance reports a per-image generation time near 1.8 seconds in published examples, a meaningful step up from earlier Seedream releases.
Seedream 4.0 is a dedicated image model. Call it through the AI SDK's generateImage function with the model set to bytedance/seedream-4.0. AI Gateway handles authentication and provider routing.
What To Consider When Choosing a Provider
- Configuration: Image-generation pricing on AI Gateway is per image, listed at $0.03 for Seedream 4.0. Resolution and aspect ratio choices affect downstream usage but not the per-image rate. Review N/A when planning batch workflows.
- Zero Data Retention: AI Gateway does not currently support Zero Data Retention for this model. See the documentation for models that support ZDR.
- Authentication: AI Gateway authenticates requests using an API key or OIDC token. You do not need to manage provider credentials directly.
When to Use Seedream 4.0
Best for
- Multi-Image Composition: Blend several reference images into a single coherent output in one call
- Catalog and Batch Generation: Produce many related images that hold subject identity across the set
- High-Resolution Output: Up to 4K resolution removes a separate upscaling step for print and editorial use
- Fast Iteration Loops: Roughly 1.8-second generation suits interactive design tools and prompt exploration
Consider alternatives when
- Video Output: Seedance 2.0 or Seedance 2.0 Fast cover text-to-video and image-to-video workflows
- Edit-Consistency Workloads: Seedream 4.5 improves portrait detail, small-text rendering, and color preservation
- Web-Grounded Generation: Seedream 5.0 Lite adds web-connected retrieval for real-time context
Conclusion
Seedream 4.0 unifies text and image inputs in one image generation endpoint, with 4K output and fast turnaround. For multi-reference workflows and consistent image series, it's a practical starting point in the Seedream line.