How many credits does gen-4 use per second?
As of July 2026, Runway's Gen-4 Turbo video costs 5 credits per second, and the higher-quality full Gen-4 (and Gen-4.5) costs 12 credits per second. So a 5-second clip is 25 or 60 credits, and a 10-second clip is 50 or 120 credits, depending on which model you choose.
Why — the first-principles explanation
Video credits scale per second because compute scales per frame. Every additional second means more frames the model must generate and keep consistent, so Runway simply meters the cost by duration. The rate you pay depends on which model does the work.
Runway offers a speed-versus-quality split. Gen-4 Turbo is the lighter, faster model at 5 credits per second—ideal for drafts and quick iteration. Full Gen-4 (and the newer Gen-4.5) is the higher-fidelity model at 12 credits per second, more than double the cost, for final, polished shots. Same clip, very different price: a 10-second render is 50 credits on Turbo but 120 on the premium model.
This rate structure quietly teaches a workflow. Because misses cost the same as hits, and because premium seconds are expensive, experienced users prototype on Turbo to lock in composition and motion, then spend the 12-credits-per-second model only on the take they've already dialed in. Multiply the per-second rate by your clip length before you hit generate, and you'll never be surprised by your balance.
An example that makes it click
Think of two taxis. The 'Turbo' cab charges 5 coins a minute; the 'Luxury' cab charges 12 coins a minute for a smoother ride. A 10-minute trip costs 50 coins in the Turbo or 120 in the Luxury—same route, double the fare for the nicer car. Smart riders take the cheap Turbo to scout the route, then splurge on the Luxury only for the final, important trip. Runway's Gen-4 works exactly like that, except 'minutes' are 'seconds of video.'
Key facts
- Gen-4 Turbo video costs 5 credits per second (as of 2026-07).
- Full Gen-4 and Gen-4.5 video cost 12 credits per second.
- A 5-second clip = 25 credits (Turbo) or 60 credits (full Gen-4).
- A 10-second clip = 50 credits (Turbo) or 120 credits (full Gen-4).
- The premium model costs more than double the Turbo rate for the same duration.
- Credits are billed per second regardless of whether the result is kept.
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How many credits does Gen-4 use per second? As of July 2026, it depends on which model you pick. Gen-4 Turbo, the fast, lighter model, costs 5 credits per second. Full Gen-4—and the newer Gen-4.5—costs 12 credits per second, more than double. Why per second? Because every extra second is more frames the AI has to generate and keep consistent, so cost scales with length. Let's do the math. A 5-second clip is 25 credits on Turbo or 60 on the premium model. A 10-second clip is 50 or 120. Same footage, very different bill. Here's the pro move: drafts and experiments cost the same whether they turn out good or bad, so prototype on cheap Turbo to lock in your shot, then spend the 12-credit-per-second model only on your final take. Multiply the rate by your clip length before you hit generate, and your credits will never surprise you.
What authoritative sources say
People also ask
How much is a 10-second Gen-4 video?
50 credits on Gen-4 Turbo (5/second) or 120 credits on full Gen-4 (12/second).
Why is full Gen-4 more expensive than Turbo?
It's a higher-fidelity model that uses more compute per frame, priced at 12 credits/second versus Turbo's 5.
Do I pay even if I don't like the result?
Yes. Credits are spent at generation, so budget for a few attempts per usable clip.
How do I save credits on Gen-4?
Draft on Turbo to lock in composition, then run only the final take on the 12-credit-per-second model.