You can generate a Seedance 2.1 clip in about a minute: sign up, pick the Seedance 2.1 option, write a prompt, and run it. The one thing to understand first — Seedance 2.1 isn't officially released yet, so the "2.1" you generate today runs on Seedance 2 under the hood. Here's the full walkthrough, plus what each run costs.
TL;DR
- What you'll make: a 5–12 second AI video from a text prompt or a start image.
- Time/cost: about a minute; ~300 credits for a 5-second 720p text-to-video clip (~150 for image-to-video). New accounts start with free credits.
- The catch: Seedance 2.1 is unreleased, so the 2.1 option currently runs on Seedance 2. It switches to the native model when ByteDance ships it.
Before you start
You need an account and some credits. New accounts come with free credits, which is enough to test a clip or two before deciding to top up. That's it — nothing to install, and it runs in the browser.
One expectation to set: because Seedance 2.1 hasn't officially launched, no tool can give you the real 2.1 yet. On seedance-21.app the 2.1 option is mapped to Seedance 2, the current shipping model, and we say so on the page. When the native 2.1 API exists, the same option uses it automatically — your workflow doesn't change.
Step by step
1. Sign up and claim your free credits. Create an account and the free signup credits land in your balance. Open the generator to start.
2. Select Seedance 2.1. In the model picker, choose Seedance 2.1. Today this produces Seedance 2 output (the best Seedance currently shipping). If you want a cheaper draft, pick Seedance 2 Fast or Seedance 2.0 Mini instead.
3. Choose your mode.
- Text-to-video: describe the shot — subject, action, camera move, setting, lighting.
- Image-to-video: upload a start image and describe how it should move. This is cheaper (~150 vs ~300 credits) and gives you tighter control over the look.
4. Set resolution and duration, then check the cost. Pick 480p/720p/1080p and your clip length. The generator previews the exact credit cost before you confirm — so there are no surprises. Higher resolution, longer duration, and added audio all raise the cost.
5. Generate, then download or refine. Run it. If the result isn't right, adjust the prompt and try again — and if a generation fails for any reason, you keep the credits. Only successful generations are charged.
Prompt tips that actually move the needle
- Lead with the subject and the action, then add camera and style: "a fox trotting through snow, slow dolly-in, soft morning light" beats "beautiful cinematic video."
- Name the camera move (pan, dolly, orbit, static). Vague prompts get vague motion.
- For image-to-video, describe motion, not content — the image already sets the look, so spend the prompt on how things move.
- Draft cheap, finalize clean: iterate on Seedance 2 Fast / 2.0 Mini (~30% cheaper), then re-render the keeper on standard Seedance 2.
What it costs in credits
One credit pool covers every Seedance and image model; the cost shows before each run.
| Output | ~Credits (5s, 720p) |
|---|---|
| Seedance 2.1 / Seedance 2 — text-to-video | ~300 |
| Seedance 2.1 / Seedance 2 — image-to-video | ~150 |
| Seedance 2 Fast / 2.0 Mini — text-to-video | ~210 |
| Seedance 2 Fast / 2.0 Mini — image-to-video | ~105 |
After the free credits, the cheapest pack is $29.90 → 3,150 credits (~ten 720p text-to-video clips). See the pricing page for the full breakdown.
FAQ
Can I really use Seedance 2.1 right now?
You can use the Seedance 2.1 option, which currently runs on Seedance 2 because ByteDance hasn't released 2.1. When the native 2.1 model ships, the option switches to it.
Do I need to pay to try it?
No. New accounts get free credits, enough to generate a clip or two before deciding whether to buy more.
How long can a clip be?
Clip length is selectable; longer durations cost more credits. Most users generate 5-second clips to start.
What's the difference between text-to-video and image-to-video?
Text-to-video builds the whole clip from your prompt (~300 credits). Image-to-video animates a start image you upload (~150 credits) and gives you more control over the final look.
Will my credits be wasted if a generation fails?
No — only successful generations are charged.
Should I use Seedance 2.1, 2 Fast, or 2.0 Mini?
Use the 2.1/Seedance 2 option for final quality, and Fast or Mini for cheap drafts. A common flow is to draft on the cheap tier, then finalize on Seedance 2.
Resources
- Seedance 2.1: Everything We Know (Preview) — what 2.1 is expected to change.
- Is Seedance 2.1 Free? — free routes and what they cost.
- Seedance pricing & credits — live plans.
Ready to make one? Open the generator, pick Seedance 2.1, and run your first clip on your free credits.
Last updated: June 2026. Seedance 2.1 is unreleased; the 2.1 option runs on Seedance 2 until ByteDance ships a native model.
