Free Google AI credits (Gemini)

Google offers two routes to free Gemini access: an ongoing, no-card free tier through Google AI Studio, and a larger $300 cloud trial credit through Google Cloud / Vertex AI.

The short answer

For most people the Google AI Studio (Gemini) free tier is the place to start — no credit card, available everywhere Google serves. If you need more, the Google Cloud $300 trial credit covers Vertex AI and the Gemini API for 90 days.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get free Google Gemini API credits?
Sign in to Google AI Studio with a Google account and create an API key. The Gemini API free tier requires no credit card and is available in every supported region, with per-model rate limits.
Is the Gemini free tier really free?
Yes. The Google AI Studio free tier lets you call Gemini and Gemma models within rate limits at no cost. Note that free-tier usage may be used to improve Google’s products, while the paid tier is not.
What about larger Google AI credits?
For more headroom, Google Cloud’s free trial gives new accounts a $300 credit to spend over 90 days on Vertex AI and the Gemini API — this one requires a payment method.