Seedream 4.5

AI Image Editing Model

ByteDance's latest image generation model unifying text-to-image and image editing in a single architecture, with improved text rendering and 30-40% faster generation than v4.0

Seedream 4.5 generated image of A hyper-realistic close-up portrait of an elderly artisan woodworker in a sun...
Seedream 4.5 generated image of A hyper-realistic close-up of an elderly artisan’s weathered hands meticulous...
4096 x 4096
Max Resolution
Supported Modes
Text to Image Image Edit
Active

Details

Model ID
seedream-4.5
Also known as: seedream-4-5
Creator
Family
seedream
Released
December 2025
Tags
image-generation text-to-image image-editing
// Get Started

Ready to integrate?

Access seedream-4.5 via our unified API.

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Available at 3 providers

Starting from

$0.040 /image via BytePlus, fal.ai, Replicate

Prices shown are in USD

See all providers

Provider Performance

Fastest generation through fal at 22,022ms median latency with 100.0% success rate.

Aggregated from real API requests over the last 30 days.

Generation Time

fal
22,022ms p95: 41,124ms
replicate
52,292ms p95: 76,851ms

Success Rate

fal
100.0%
85 / 85 requests
replicate
73.3%
44 / 60 requests

Time to First Byte

fal
22,022ms
p95: 41,177ms
replicate
51,438ms
p95: 73,984ms

Provider Rankings

# Provider p50 Gen Time p95 Gen Time Success Rate TTFB (p50)
1 fal 22,022ms 41,124ms 100.0% 22,022ms
2 replicate 52,292ms 76,851ms 73.3% 51,438ms
Data updated every 15 minutes. Based on all API requests through Lumenfall over the last 30 days.

Providers & Pricing (3)

Seedream 4.5 is available from 3 providers, with per-image pricing starting at $0.04 through BytePlus.

BytePlus
Text to Image Image Edit
byteplus/seedream-4.5
Provider Model ID: seedream-4-5
$0.040 /image
fal.ai
Image Edit
fal/seedream-4.5-edit
Provider Model ID: fal-ai/bytedance/seedream/v4.5/edit
$0.040 /image
Replicate
Text to Image Image Edit
replicate/seedream-4.5
Provider Model ID: bytedance/seedream-4.5
$0.040 /image

seedream-4-5 API OpenAI-compatible

Integrate Seedream 4.5 via the Lumenfall OpenAI-compatible API to perform text-to-image generation and complex image editing through a single unified architecture.

Base URL
https://api.lumenfall.ai/openai/v1
Model
seedream-4.5

Code Examples

Image Edit

/v1/images/edits
curl -X POST \
  https://api.lumenfall.ai/openai/v1/images/edits \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LUMENFALL_API_KEY" \
  -F "model=seedream-4.5" \
  -F "[email protected]" \
  -F "prompt=Add a starry night sky to this image" \
  -F "size=1024x1024"
# Response:
# { "created": 1234567890, "data": [{ "url": "https://...", "revised_prompt": "..." }] }

Parameter Reference

Required Supported Not available

Core Parameters

Parameter Type Description Modes
prompt string Required. Text prompt for image generation
T2I Edit
seed integer Random seed for reproducibility
T2I Edit

Size & Layout

Parameter Type Description Modes
size string Image dimensions as WxH pixels (e.g. "1024x1024") or aspect ratio (e.g. "16:9")
auto 1024x1024
WxH determines both shape and scale (aspect_ratio and resolution are ignored when size is provided). W:H format is equivalent to aspect_ratio.
T2I Edit
aspect_ratio string Aspect ratio of the output image (e.g. "16:9", "1:1")
auto 1:1
Controls shape independently of scale. Use with resolution to control both. If size is also provided, size takes precedence. Any ratio is accepted and mapped to the nearest supported value.
T2I Edit
resolution string Output resolution tier (e.g. "1K", "4K")
auto 1K
Controls scale independently of shape. Higher tiers produce larger images and cost more. If size is also provided, size takes precedence for scale. Any tier is accepted and mapped to the nearest supported value.
T2I Edit
Output size aspect_ratio + resolution
Flexible
Auto "auto" Model chooses optimal dimensions
Custom
1–14142px per side
"WxH" Any pixel dimensions within model constraints
1K 1 sizes
Output size aspect_ratio + resolution
1024 × 1024 "1024x1024" or "1:1" + "1K"

How these parameters work

size

Exact pixel dimensions

"1920x1080"
aspect_ratio

Shape only, default scale

"16:9"
resolution

Scale tier, preserves shape

"1K"

Priority when combined

size aspect_ratio + resolution aspect_ratio resolution

size is most specific and always wins. aspect_ratio and resolution control shape and scale independently.

How matching works

Shape matching – we pick the closest supported ratio. Ask for 7:1 on a model with 4:1 and 8:1, you get 8:1.
Scale matching – providers use different tier formats: K tiers (0.5K 1K 2K 4K) or megapixel tiers (0.25 1). If the exact tier isn't available, you get the nearest one.
Dimension clamping – if a model has pixel limits, we clamp dimensions to fit and keep the aspect ratio intact.

Media Inputs

Parameter Type Description Modes
image file Required. Input image(s) to edit
Supports PNG, JPEG, WebP.
T2I Edit

Output & Format

Parameter Type Description Modes
response_format byteplus string How generated images are returned.
b64_json url
Default: "url"
T2I Edit
output_format string Output image format
png jpeg gif webp avif
Gateway converts to requested format if provider doesn't support it natively.
T2I Edit
output_compression integer Compression level for lossy formats (JPEG, WebP, AVIF)
T2I Edit
n integer Number of images to generate
Default: 1
Gateway generates multiple images in parallel even if provider only supports 1.
T2I Edit

Additional Parameters

Provider-specific passthrough fields, available only when the request is routed to the listed provider.

Parameter Type Description Modes
Universal
prompt_enhancement string Whether an LLM rewrites/expands the prompt before generation (off, on)
off on
T2I Edit
sequential_image_generation string Group image generation mode. 'disabled' generates a single image. 'auto' lets the model decide whether to generate multiple related images (e.g., story scenes, character variations).
disabled
T2I Edit
byteplus
sequential_image_generation_options object Batch image generation options, effective only when sequential_image_generation is auto.
T2I Edit
stream boolean Whether to stream each output image as soon as it is generated.
T2I Edit
watermark boolean Whether to add an AI-generated watermark to the lower-right corner of the image.
T2I Edit
fal
enable_safety_checker boolean If set to true, the safety checker will be enabled.
T2I Edit
sync_mode boolean If `True`, the media will be returned as a data URI and the output data won't be available in the request history.
T2I Edit
replicate
disable_safety_checker boolean Disable the safety checker for generated images. When enabled, input moderation is relaxed to only block illegal content (CSAM). Use responsibly.
T2I Edit

Parameter Normalization

How we handle parameters across different providers

Not every provider speaks the same language. When you send a parameter, we handle it in one of four ways depending on what the model supports:

Behavior What happens Example
passthrough Sent as-is to the provider style, quality
renamed Same value, mapped to the field name the provider expects prompt
converted Transformed to the provider's native format size
emulated Works even if the provider has no concept of it n, response_format

Parameters we don't recognize pass straight through to the upstream API, so provider-specific options still work.

Seedream 4.5 Benchmarks

Seedream 4.5 ranks as a top-ten global contender with an Elo of 1262 for text-to-image generation and 1211 for image editing. This ByteDance model demonstrates high competitive stability, holding the #8 position overall in text-to-image performance benchmarks.

Lumenfall Arena
#10
Text-to-Image
1260 Elo
Lumenfall Arena
#10
Image Editing
1209 Elo

Image Editing Landscape

Competition Results

Image Editing

Photorealism

View leaderboard
Seedream 4.5 edited result for Golden Hour Stroll
Original image before Seedream 4.5 editing
Before After
#2
Golden Hour Stroll
13 models
Image Editing
Edit instruction

“Add dynamic motion to this photo: make hair blow in the wind, add leaves flying, energetic and lively feel.”

Image Editing
Source
Edit instruction

“Make a photo of the man driving the car down the California coastline”

Seedream 4.5 edited result for Bald man challenge
Original image before Seedream 4.5 editing
Before After
#10
Bald man challenge
15 models
Image Editing
Edit instruction

“Give the person a full, thick head of natural hair with realistic texture, density, and a natural hairline. Preserve facial features and lighting.”

Seedream 4.5 edited result for Neutral Expression to Genuine Smile
Original image before Seedream 4.5 editing
Before After
Image Editing
Edit instruction
{
  "action": "image_edit",
  "reference": "uploaded neutral portrait",
  "change": "Warm genuine Duchenne smile: lips curved up, slight natural teeth, soft eye crinkles, subtle cheek raise",
  "details": "Realistic smiling skin (dimples if present, soft cheek shadows), slightly brighter eyes; keep exact eye shape/color/iris",
  "preserve_exact": "Face identity/structure, eyes/nose/lips/eyebrows, hair, skin texture/pores/freckles, makeup, clothing, head pose, background, lighting, shadows, framing",
  "no_changes": "No face shape change, no new features, no gaze shift, no hair/clothing/lighting/background edits",
  "style": "Ultra-photorealistic 8K portrait, sharp face focus, natural soft lighting, realistic skin glow"
}
3 attempts – showing best result
Seedream 4.5 edited result for Night Sky Transformation
Original image before Seedream 4.5 editing
Before After
#14
Night Sky Transformation
16 models
Image Editing
Edit instruction

“Change the scene to night: a deep, dark sky with subtle, glistening stars visible behind the mountain.”

3 attempts – showing best result
Image Editing

Anime

View leaderboard
Image Editing
Source
Edit instruction

“Transform this photo into a Studio Ghibli–inspired illustration. Use soft pastel colors, hand-painted textures, gentle lighting, dreamy backgrounds, and a warm, nostalgic mood”

Image Editing

Portrait

View leaderboard
Seedream 4.5 edited result for Bald man challenge
Original image before Seedream 4.5 editing
Before After
#10
Bald man challenge
15 models
Image Editing
Edit instruction

“Give the person a full, thick head of natural hair with realistic texture, density, and a natural hairline. Preserve facial features and lighting.”

Seedream 4.5 edited result for Neutral Expression to Genuine Smile
Original image before Seedream 4.5 editing
Before After
Image Editing
Edit instruction
{
  "action": "image_edit",
  "reference": "uploaded neutral portrait",
  "change": "Warm genuine Duchenne smile: lips curved up, slight natural teeth, soft eye crinkles, subtle cheek raise",
  "details": "Realistic smiling skin (dimples if present, soft cheek shadows), slightly brighter eyes; keep exact eye shape/color/iris",
  "preserve_exact": "Face identity/structure, eyes/nose/lips/eyebrows, hair, skin texture/pores/freckles, makeup, clothing, head pose, background, lighting, shadows, framing",
  "no_changes": "No face shape change, no new features, no gaze shift, no hair/clothing/lighting/background edits",
  "style": "Ultra-photorealistic 8K portrait, sharp face focus, natural soft lighting, realistic skin glow"
}
3 attempts – showing best result

Uncategorized

Image Editing
Source
Edit instruction

“Create a caricature of me and my job. Make it exaggerated and humorous, incorporating my profession as a tv show anchor and my love for dogs and hockey.”

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Seedream 4.5 is best for

See all Use Cases

The model leads the industry in Anime and Photorealism categories, achieving first-place rankings with win rates of 77.3% and 80.0% respectively. It serves as a specialized tool for high-fidelity character art while maintaining a 57.9% win rate for commercial and branding applications.

Seedream 4.5 FAQ

How much does Seedream 4.5 cost?

Seedream 4.5 starts at $0.04 per image through Lumenfall. Pricing varies by provider. Lumenfall does not add any markup to provider pricing.

How do I use Seedream 4.5 via API?

You can use Seedream 4.5 through Lumenfall's OpenAI-compatible API. Send requests to the unified endpoint with model ID "seedream-4.5". Code examples are available in Python, JavaScript, and cURL.

Which providers offer Seedream 4.5?

Seedream 4.5 is available through Replicate, fal.ai, and BytePlus on Lumenfall. Lumenfall automatically routes requests to the best available provider.

What is the maximum resolution for Seedream 4.5?

Seedream 4.5 supports images up to 4096x4096 resolution.

Overview

Seedream 4.5 is the latest image generation model developed by ByteDance, designed to bridge the gap between initial creation and iterative modification. It utilizes a unified architecture that handles both text-to-image synthesis and image editing tasks within the same framework, rather than relying on separate modular adapters. This version focuses specifically on increasing throughput and improving the legibility of embedded text compared to its predecessors.

Strengths

  • Unified Architecture: Unlike models that require specific Inpaint or Instruct-pix2pix checkpoints, Seedream 4.5 manages text-prompted generation and image-to-image editing natively in one model.
  • In-Image Typography: The model shows high accuracy in rendering complex text strings, logos, and labels within generated scenes, minimizing the common “gibberish” artifacts found in earlier diffusion iterations.
  • Generation Latency: ByteDance has optimized the inference pipeline to be 30-40% faster than Seedream 4.0, making it more viable for near-real-time applications and rapid prototyping.
  • Contextual Editing: Because it is designed for editing, the model excels at maintaining the global composition and lighting of an original image while adding, removing, or altering specific subjects via text instructions.

Limitations

  • Hardware Demand: While faster than version 4.0, the unified architecture still requires significant VRAM for high-resolution outputs compared to smaller, distilled models like SDXL Turbo.
  • Extreme Realism: While versatile, the model may still experience the “uncanny valley” effect in human anatomy—specifically hands and complex joint positions—where dedicated photorealism models may have a slight edge.
  • Prompt Sensitivity: To get the most out of the integrated editing features, users often need to provide highly specific instructions to prevent the model from over-altering the base image.

Technical Background

Seedream 4.5 is built on a latent diffusion framework that integrates multimodal inputs (text and reference images) directly into its primary denoising process. By training on a diverse dataset of paired editing sequences, the model learns to treat an input image as a soft spatial constraint rather than a rigid template. This allows for fluid transitions between “generating from scratch” and “modifying existing pixels” without switching model weights.

Best For

Seedream 4.5 is best suited for professional workflows where a user needs to generate a concept and then immediately iterate on specific details, such as changing a character’s clothing or adding a specific brand name to a storefront. It is an excellent choice for marketing teams building localized ad assets or developers building interactive design tools.

Seedream 4.5 is available for testing and deployment through Lumenfall’s unified API and playground, allowing you to integrate high-speed image generation and editing into your applications with a single integration.

Try Seedream 4.5 in Playground

Generate images with custom prompts — no API key needed.

Open Playground