Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview API

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview is a text-to-image model by ByteDance optimized for fast image generation with API-friendly workflows.

Modalities
Image, TextImage
Price
$0.035per generation
Model type
Image generation
Released
Mar 2, 2026

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview overview

Sample Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview image generated through AI/ML API: A ginger cat asleep on a stack of exactly three hardcover books in a rainy bookshop window at dusk. Gold lette

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview specs

Model ID
bytedance/seedream-5-0-lite
Developer
ByteDance
Input
Image, Text
Output
Image
Endpoint
POST https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/images/generations

What is Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview API?

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview is a text-to-image model by ByteDance optimized for fast image generation with API-friendly workflows.

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview API Pricing
- Pricing on request

Where to Use Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview

Use cases

Office work, education, and research are documented productivity scenarios for Seedream 5.0 Lite. The model is described as having enhanced information visualization ability, making it suitable for those settings.

It is also documented for image generation and editing with structured reasoning, layout precision, and advanced multimodal understanding. This supports use in tasks where text prompts and reference images are combined to produce or refine visuals.

The model is documented as suited to style transfer and on-brand visual creation, including precise layouts and typography. These use cases are described for producing design work that follows a specific look or brand identity.

It is also documented for product shots and knowledge-aligned visuals, including context-aware marketing and product visuals. These are presented as suitable applications alongside infographics and image editing.

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview benchmarks by Artificial Analysis

Human-preference results for Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview in text to image, next to models available on AI/ML API. Data retrieved Nov 3, 2026.

Text to image

Elo · text-to-image arena

AI/ML API price

USD per generation

Models on AI/ML API

Arena results for models you can call with the same API key.

Text to image

Blind pairwise human votes on images generated from text prompts. Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview ranks #37 of 98.

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview API pricing

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview pricing in US dollars
UsagePriceUnit
Image generation$0.035per generation

Prices from the AI/ML API price list, checked on Nov 4, 2026.

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview vs other image models: prices

AI/ML API rates for 5 models, per generation.

AI/ML API prices in USD per generation
ModelPer generation
Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview$0.035
Seedream 4.0 Image to Image$0.03
Dreamina Creative Upscale$0.031
Seedream 4.5$0.04
Seedream 5.0 Pro$0.045

How to use the Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview API

View docs

Build with your agent

Give your agent the model details, code and documentation.

1Get your API key

Create API key
export AIMLAPI_KEY="8f2b4c7d9a1e6b3f…"

2Make your first request

curl 'https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/images/generations' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AIMLAPI_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "model": "bytedance/seedream-5-0-lite",
  "prompt": "A ginger cat asleep on a stack of exactly three hardcover books in a rainy bookshop window at dusk. Gold lettering on the glass reads OPEN LATE. Warm lamp light inside, raindrops and blurred neon reflections outside, 35mm film photo."
}'

Related articles

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Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview FAQ

What inputs and outputs does Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview support?

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview takes image, text as input and returns image.

How much does Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview cost?

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview costs $0.035 per generation on AI/ML API, billed as you go with no subscription.

How is Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview billed?

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview is billed per generation, a fixed charge per output rather than by prompt length.

Can Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview take an existing image as input?

Yes, Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview accepts image input as well as a text prompt.

Who created Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview?

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview was built by ByteDance.

How do I call Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview on AI/ML API?

Send a request to https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/images/generations with bytedance/seedream-5-0-lite as the model id.

Is Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview available through a single API key?

Yes. Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview is served through AI/ML API, so the same key and endpoint format used for other models applies.

What is the Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview model ID?

Use bytedance/seedream-5-0-lite as the model parameter. Requests go to https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/images/generations with your AI/ML API key.

Start building with Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview

Seedream 5.0 Lite Preview API

bytedance/seedream-5-0-lite

Build with your agent

Give your agent the model details, code and documentation.

1Get your API key

Create API key
export AIMLAPI_KEY="8f2b4c7d9a1e6b3f…"

2Make your first request

curl 'https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/images/generations' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AIMLAPI_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "model": "bytedance/seedream-5-0-lite",
  "prompt": "A ginger cat asleep on a stack of exactly three hardcover books in a rainy bookshop window at dusk. Gold lettering on the glass reads OPEN LATE. Warm lamp light inside, raindrops and blurred neon reflections outside, 35mm film photo."
}'