[Black Forest Labs](/ai-gateway/models/labs/bfl)

# FLUX.2 \[flex\]

FLUX.2 \[flex\] is Black Forest Labs's developer-tunable image generation model. It exposes direct control over inference steps and guidance scale, letting you trade typography accuracy and fine detail against generation speed within a single model. Your use is subject to Black Forest Labs's [Terms](https://bfl.ai/legal/terms-of-service) & [Privacy](https://bfl.ai/legal/privacy-policy) Policies.

Image Gen

[Use with AI Gateway](https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Futm_source%3Dgateway-model-page%26utm_campaign%3Dai-gateway-models&title=Get+Started+with+Vercel+AI+Gateway) [View docs](https://vercel.com/docs/ai-gateway)

AI SDKChat Completions

```
1import { experimental_generateImage as generateImage } from 'ai';
2

3const result = await generateImage({
4  model: 'bfl/flux-2-flex',
5  prompt: 'A red balloon on a wooden table.'
6});
```

[Read docs](https://vercel.com/docs/ai-gateway/sdks-and-apis/ai-sdk)

[Overview](/ai-gateway/models/flux-2-flex) [About](/ai-gateway/models/flux-2-flex/about) [Providers](/ai-gateway/models/flux-2-flex/providers) [Similar](/ai-gateway/models/flux-2-flex/similar) [FAQ](/ai-gateway/models/flux-2-flex/faq)

## [Copy link to heading](#playground)Playground

Try out FLUX.2 \[flex\] by Black Forest Labs. 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.

![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75)FLUX.2 \[flex\]

Prompt

Describe what you want the model to generate.

Reference images(optional)

Add up to 8 images

Images to generate

1234

![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=96&q=75)

Your generated image will appear here

## [Copy link to heading](#providers)Providers

Route requests across multiple providers. Copy a provider slug to set your preference. Visit the [docs](/docs/ai-gateway/provider-options) for more info. Using a provider means you agree to their terms, listed under Legal.

| Provider |
| --- |

| Input | Output | Cache | Web Search | Capabilities | ZDR | No Training | Release Date |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

| ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) [Black Forest Labs](/ai-gateway/models/providers/bfl) Legal:[Terms](https://bfl.ai/legal/terms-of-service)•[Privacy](https://bfl.ai/legal/privacy-policy) |  | $0.06/MP |  | — |  |  |  | 11/25/2025 |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

## [Copy link to heading](#more-models-by-black-forest-labs)More models by Black Forest Labs

All

Image

Video

| Model |
| --- |

| Context | Latency | Throughput | Input | Output | Cache | Web Search | Capabilities | Providers | ZDR | No Training | Release Date |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

| ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) [bfl/flux\-3-video](/ai-gateway/models/flux-3-video) |  |  |  |  | $0.06/sec+5 more |  | — |  | ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) |  |  | 08/04/2026 |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) [bfl/flux-2-klein-4b](/ai-gateway/models/flux-2-klein-4b) |  |  |  |  | $0.014/MP |  | — |  | ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) |  |  | 01/15/2026 |  |
| ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) [bfl/flux-2-klein-9b](/ai-gateway/models/flux-2-klein-9b) |  |  |  |  | $0.015/MP |  | — |  | ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) |  |  | 01/15/2026 |  |
| ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) [bfl/flux-kontext-max](/ai-gateway/models/flux-kontext-max) | 512 |  |  |  | $0.08/img |  | — |  | ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) |  |  | 05/29/2025 |  |
| ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) [bfl/flux-kontext-pro](/ai-gateway/models/flux-kontext-pro) | 512 |  |  |  | $0.04/img |  | — |  | ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) ![prodia logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fprodia.png&w=48&q=75) |  |  | 05/29/2025 |  |
| ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) [bfl/flux-pro-1.0-fill](/ai-gateway/models/flux-pro-1.0-fill) |  |  |  |  | $0.05/img |  | — |  | ![bfl logo](/vc-ap-vercel-marketing/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F7nyt0uhk7sse4zvn.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fdocs-assets%2Fstatic%2Fdocs%2Fai-gateway%2Flogos%2Fblackforestlabs.png&w=48&q=75) |  |  | 10/01/2024 |  |

## [Copy link to heading](#about-flux2-flex)About FLUX.2 \[flex\]

FLUX.2 \[flex\] belongs to the FLUX.2 family from Black Forest Labs. Other FLUX.2 variants optimize for a fixed quality level. Flex gives you direct control over the number of inference steps and the guidance scale.

The FLUX.2 architecture pairs a Mistral-3 24B vision-language model (VLM) with a rectified flow transformer retrained on a new variational autoencoder (VAE). The VLM contributes real-world knowledge and contextual understanding, producing more coherent scenes, correct spatial logic, and reliable typography. FLUX.2 supports multi-reference input with up to 10 reference images and image editing at resolutions up to 4 megapixels.

Flex's role in the lineup is explicit parameter control. If you build workflows that span multiple quality tiers (a quick draft view and a high-fidelity export, for example), you can use one Flex endpoint and change the `steps` value instead of switching models. That makes Flex a natural fit for tools, pipelines, and interfaces that expose a quality dial to end users.

## [Copy link to heading](#what-to-consider-when-choosing-a-provider)What To Consider When Choosing a Provider

- Configuration: Because FLUX.2 \[flex\] exposes the `steps` parameter, you can run a quick low-step pass to validate a composition before you commit to a full-quality render. That cuts iteration cost during prompt development. Compare N/A against other FLUX.2 tiers.
- Zero Data Retention: Zero Data Retention is offered on a per-provider and model basis. See the [documentation](https://vercel.com/docs/ai-gateway/security-and-compliance/zdr) for details.
- Authentication: AI Gateway authenticates requests using an [API key](https://vercel.com/docs/ai-gateway/authentication-and-byok#api-key-authentication) or [OIDC token](https://vercel.com/docs/ai-gateway/authentication-and-byok#oidc-token-authentication). You do not need to manage provider credentials directly.

## [Copy link to heading](#when-to-use-flux2-flex)When to Use FLUX.2 \[flex\]

### Best for

- Configurable quality-speed tradeoff: Single model that supports draft previews at six steps and final renders at 50 steps
- Typography accuracy: Applications like UI mockup generation or infographic creation where fine text legibility matters
- Iterative prompt development: Rapid low-step passes validate composition before committing to full-quality generation
- Quality slider interfaces: Developer tools that expose a quality control mapped to inference step count

### Consider alternatives when

- Maximum automatic quality: FLUX.2 Pro handles this with tuned default parameters when you don't want to manage inference parameters
- Image inpainting: FLUX.1 Fill Pro is purpose-built for masked region fill tasks
- Real-time generation: FLUX.2 Klein is optimized for sub-second interactive speed

## [Copy link to heading](#conclusion)Conclusion

FLUX.2 \[flex\] gives you direct control over inference steps and guidance scale. Choose it when your application needs to tune the quality-speed tradeoff at runtime rather than commit to a fixed output tier. Its strength in text rendering and fine detail makes it especially useful for structured visual content like UI mockups and infographics.