RPM or TPM
Recovers within the minute. Add exponential backoff with jitter; batch small requests; cache repeated prompts.
Last verified September 1, 2026
Gemini API rate limits
Three counters, all enforced at once: RPM (requests per minute), TPM (tokens per minute) and RPD (requests per day). Hit any one and you get a 429.
RPD resets at midnight Pacific Time (08:00 UTC). RPM and TPM recover within the minute.
The tier ladder
Four tiers, one dashboard
Qualification is automatic as spend and account age grow; your live per-model RPM, TPM and RPD are shown in AI Studio.
| Tier | How you qualify | Monthly spend cap | Where to see your RPM / TPM / RPD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Any project without billing | — | AI Studio → project → rate limits |
| Tier 1 | Link an active billing account | $250 | AI Studio; limits rise per model |
| Tier 2 | $100+ paid and 3+ days since first payment | $2,000 | AI Studio |
| Tier 3 | $1,000+ paid and 30+ days | $20,000–$100,000+ | AI Studio; contact sales for more |
Google removed the fixed public per-model tables in 2026. Its rate-limits page now says limits “can be viewed in Google AI Studio” and “are not guaranteed and actual capacity may vary”. The 2.5-generation figures that still circulate (5 RPM / 100 RPD on Pro for the free tier, 150 RPM / 1,000 RPD on Tier 1) describe a model that is no longer current; treat them as history. Requests-per-day quotas reset at midnight Pacific time. Source: ai.google.dev rate limits.
Note
On model names
Google no longer publishes fixed per-model tables; your project’s live limits are in AI Studio. The tier structure — free, billing-enabled, $100 after 3 days, $1,000 after 30 days — is stable; the per-model rows change as models ship. Check the official table before sizing a production job.
Handle 429s
What to do when the API says too many requests.
RPD
Does not recover until midnight Pacific. Spread daily jobs, or move the project up a tier before the event, not during it.
Wrong tier
A hobby project stuck on the free tier hits limits fast. Linking billing moves you to Tier 1 immediately; $100 of spend and three days moves you to Tier 2.
Not your subscription
A Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription does not change API limits. They are separate products with separate billing.
FAQ
Short answers
What does a 429 error mean?
You exceeded one of three counters: requests per minute, tokens per minute, or requests per day. RPM and TPM recover within the minute; RPD does not reset until midnight Pacific Time.
How do I get a higher API tier?
Tier 1 unlocks when you enable billing on your Google Cloud project. Tier 2 needs $100 in cumulative spend and at least 3 days since your first successful payment. Tier 3 needs $1,000 and 30 days, or a direct arrangement with Google Cloud sales.
Is the API limit the same as my Gemini app subscription?
No. They are separate products with separate billing. A Google AI Pro subscription does not raise your API rate limits.