Pollinations API Python Guide
Build scripts, Discord bots, and internal tools that call Pollinations image endpoints — no heavyweight SDK required. Start with urllib or requests.
Minimal Python example
import urllib.parse
import urllib.request
prompt = "sunset over mountains, photorealistic, 4K"
encoded = urllib.parse.quote(prompt)
url = f"https://image.pollinations.ai/prompt/{encoded}"
urllib.request.urlretrieve(url, "output.png")
print("Saved output.png")Add query parameters for width, height, seed, or model when supported — see /api.html and official Pollinations documentation.
Production tips
- Cache images you will reuse; respect bandwidth and rate limits.
- URL-encode prompts; avoid raw special characters breaking requests.
- Handle failures: timeouts and 429 responses should retry with backoff.
- Disclose AI-generated media where your jurisdiction requires it.
Use cases
- Slack or Telegram bots that reply with generated memes.
- Batch thumbnails for YouTube or course platforms.
- Prototyping game assets before hand-painted finals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pollinations API free?
Public image endpoints are widely used in community projects; always read current pollinations.ai terms, rate limits, and fair-use rules.
Do I need an API key for basic images?
Many simple image URL patterns work without a key for experimentation; production apps may need tokens or Pollen credits — see official docs.
What models can I use?
Model names change over time (Flux, turbo variants, etc.). Check pollinations.ai/models and this site’s /api.html for up-to-date parameters.
Related Articles
Where to Go Next
Image Generator
Create images at /image-generation/ or the homepage tool.
More guides
Browse all blog articles and the prompts library.