Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video API

kwaivgi/kling-video/v1.6/standard/image-to-video

Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video transforms still images into fluid 720p video clips with start_image_url first-frame animation or multi-image Elements consistency across 5-second and 10-second outputs. It preserves character likeness, texture details, and scene composition while applying coherent camera motion and natural real-world physics.

Input
523/2500
A Stitch and a Smile

Playground uploads: JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 10 MiB per file. Use JSON mode for HTTP(S) URLs.

78/2500
OutputReady
9 credits / second × 5 seconds = 45 credits · $0.225
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Examples

A continuous five-second intimate portrait of the same elderly female tailor in her quiet workroom. Her hands remain gently resting on the folded fabric on the table. She slowly raises her gaze from the cloth toward someone just beside the camera and gives a small warm smile; her shoulders rise subtly with a breath. Preserve her age, face, glasses, hairstyle, fingers and clothing exactly. A curtain moves very slightly at the edge of the softly lit window. Fixed camera, natural expression and skin, no talking, no cuts.

One continuous five-second wildlife shot. The single red panda from the starting image slowly extends its front paws along the broad branch and lowers its head into a gentle stretch, then lifts its head slightly. Hind paws remain on the branch, the striped tail drapes naturally and shifts a little. Keep the same face, red fur, limb count and tree geometry. Soft forest breeze barely moves the distant leaves. Locked medium-wide camera, realistic weight and fur, no cuts or extra animals.

A five-second stop-motion-style miniature film of the single felt penguin shown in the reference. Keep its rounded dark navy felt body, cream belly and tiny orange beak and feet, with visible wool fibers. Full-body side view on a small pale blue frozen pond bordered by soft snow. The penguin leans forward and slides a short smooth distance to the right on its belly, flippers gently out to the sides, then comes to a soft stop. One character throughout, charming tactile handmade scale, fixed low camera, no cuts, no writing or logos.

Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video

Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video is a cost-effective image-to-video generation model developed by Kwaivgi. Designed for static image animation and multi-reference asset continuation, it provides two distinct generation workflows: single-frame animation via start_image_url that inherits the original aspect ratio, and Elements multi-image reference via image_urls (1–4 images) for keeping character identity and styling consistent. Delivering smooth 720p resolution across 5-second or 10-second durations at 9 credits per second, it offers a budget-friendly solution for automated content pipelines and creative exploration.

Why Choose This?

  • Dual Image WorkflowsChoose between single-frame animation using start_image_url or multi-reference character consistency using 1–4 images in the Elements workflow.

  • Faithful Subject & Style RetentionRetains original facial features, costume details, lighting conditions, and composition geometry without identity drift.

  • Flexible Duration OptionsGenerate quick 5-second dynamic clips or complete 10-second cinematic shots at consistent 720p resolution.

  • Nuanced Prompt & Motion DirectingGuide camera movements, character gestures, and environmental physics with up to 2,500 characters of prompt and negative_prompt instructions.

  • High Cost EfficiencyPriced at only 9 credits per second ($0.045/s)—delivering high-quality video generation at a 20% savings compared to standard market alternatives.

Parameters

ParameterRequirementDescription
promptRequired

Required nonblank string, at most 2,500 Unicode characters after trimming.

durationRequired

Required integer: 5 or 10 seconds. No strings, booleans or fractional durations. No API default; the playground starts at 5 seconds.

aspect_ratioOptional

Optional: 1:1, 16:9 or 9:16. No default. Not supported for Standard first-frame animation; available in Elements.

negative_promptOptional

Optional string, at most 2,500 Unicode characters.

cfg_scaleOptional

Optional finite number from 0 to 1. No default. Not supported in Elements.

start_image_urlConditional

Required HTTP(S) first-frame image URL for frame animation; mutually exclusive with image_urls.

image_urlsConditional

Elements requires 1–4 HTTP(S) reference image URLs; mutually exclusive with first frame, last frame and cfg_scale.

How to Use

  1. Select Workflow and Prepare AssetsDecide between single-frame animation (start_image_url) or multi-image asset consistency (1–4 reference images via image_urls).

  2. Formulate Motion PromptsDescribe specific subject actions, lighting transformations, and camera panning paths, adding negative_prompt to prevent unwanted artifacts.

  3. Select Duration and Aspect RatioChoose between 5-second and 10-second durations. In Elements workflow, choose 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1; first-frame mode automatically matches source dimensions.

  4. Fine-Tune Guidance ParametersIn first-frame mode, set cfg_scale between 0.4 and 0.6 for natural motion dynamics or adjust higher for stylized adherence.

  5. Submit Request and Poll ResultsDispatch your asynchronous task payload to receive a task_id, then poll until the task reaches finished status to retrieve the output video URL.

Pricing

9 credits / second · $0.045 / second. 1 credit = $0.005. Fal comparison: $0.056 / second; save 20%.

UsageRateDetails
5 seconds45 credits · $0.2259 credits × 5 seconds
10 seconds90 credits · $0.4509 credits × 10 seconds

Best Use Cases

  • Portrait & Character MotionBring photographic portraits, character concepts, and digital avatars to life with natural eye contact, subtle smiles, and hair dynamics.

  • E-Commerce 3D Product ShowcaseConvert static studio product shots into rotating or panning showcase videos, highlighting material texture and functional design.

  • Illustration & Concept Art AnimationAnimate digital paintings, anime illustrations, and storyboard frames while preserving the creator's artistic style and shading.

  • Pre-Visualization & Scene PreviewsGenerate rapid video prototypes from storyboard concept images to evaluate shot pacing and cinematic transitions before production.

Pro Tips

  • Focus on Action in First-Frame Mode: Because the source image already defines the appearance and scene, focus your prompt on incremental action and camera movement.
  • Multi-Angle Elements Setup: Providing front, profile, and three-quarter reference angles in Elements mode significantly improves character consistency across turns.
  • Aspect Ratio Inheritance: Omit aspect_ratio when using start_image_url, as the model automatically preserves the source image dimensions.
  • Balanced Guidance Scale: In first-frame workflows, a cfg_scale around 0.5 delivers realistic physics and smooth motion without distorting the original image.
  • Clean Reference Sources: Use well-lit, high-resolution source images with clear subject separation to avoid motion blur and background warping.

Notes

  • Workflow Exclusivity: You must specify either start_image_url or image_urls (1–4 images); combining both image parameters in one request is not supported.
  • Parameter Support Boundaries: First-frame mode does not support custom aspect_ratio or end_image_url (for start-to-end frame transitions, select Pro Image to Video).
  • Asynchronous Processing & Refund Policy: Tasks are billed upon initiation; if generation fails due to system or server error, all consumed credits are automatically refunded.

Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video API frequently asked questions

What is the Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video API?

Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video is an image-to-video diffusion model developed by Kwaivgi. It converts static input images and descriptive prompts into fluid 720p video clips, offering single-frame start_image_url animation and multi-image Elements asset consistency. Built on modern multi-modal generative architecture, it retains source identity, color grading, and structural fidelity while synthesizing realistic motion and cinematography. You can call it programmatically or try it from the playground above.

What input image workflows does Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video support?

The endpoint supports two dedicated workflows: first-frame animation via start_image_url for animating a single image, and Elements multi-image reference via image_urls (1 to 4 images) for preserving character and style consistency. These two workflows are mutually exclusive in a single request.

Can I specify a custom aspect ratio in Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video?

When using start_image_url first-frame animation, the model automatically inherits the aspect ratio of the source image and does not accept a custom aspect_ratio parameter. When using the Elements workflow with image_urls, you can explicitly configure 16:9, 9:16, or 1:1.

Does Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video support end frame guidance?

No. The Standard series only supports start_image_url for single-frame animation. If your production workflow requires defining both a starting frame and an ending frame for targeted motion transitions, please use the Kling 1.6 Pro Image to Video endpoint.

What are the key advantages of the Elements workflow in Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video?

The Elements workflow accepts between 1 and 4 reference images, allowing you to feed multiple perspectives or poses of the same subject. The model references these images to synthesize novel angles and movements while minimizing character drift and visual deformation.

How is Kling 1.6 Standard Image to Video priced?

Usage is billed per second of generated video at 9 credits per second ($0.045/s). Generating a 5-second clip costs 45 credits ($0.225), and a 10-second clip costs 90 credits ($0.450). If a task fails or terminates prematurely, credits are fully refunded.

What image file formats and size constraints are supported?

The interactive playground supports JPG, PNG, and WebP files up to 10 MiB each. When using the API directly, pass publicly accessible HTTP(S) URLs pointing directly to valid image files with correct MIME types.