--- title: MiniMax API — Hailuo Video & MiniMax M2 LLM | ModelsLab description: MiniMax API: Hailuo 2.3 video from $0.067 per second, MiniMax H3 from $0.096 by duration, and the MiniMax M2 LLM family on one endpoint. url: https://modelslab.com/minimax-api canonical: https://modelslab.com/minimax-api type: website component: Seo/MinimaxApi generated_at: 2026-09-16T12:02:19.571613Z --- Imagen MiniMax API — Hailuo Video & M2 LLM --- Hailuo 2.3 and 02, MiniMax H3 video and the MiniMax M2 LLM family through the ModelsLab REST API — one key, no separate MiniMax account, per-call pricing shown before you send. Video plans from $21/month. [Get MiniMax API Access](https://modelslab.com/register) [API Documentation](https://docs.modelslab.com) What is the MiniMax API? --- ### Two Product Lines, One Endpoint MiniMax ships two things developers integrate: the Hailuo video models and the MiniMax M-series language models. The ModelsLab API carries both. Video goes through the same /api/v7/video-fusion/ endpoints as Kling, Veo, Wan and Seedance, and the LLMs go through the OpenAI-compatible chat endpoint — on one key, one bill and one integration. Hailuo 2.3 is the current cost-effective generation at $0.067 per second of output, with a Fast image-to-video variant at $0.038 per second. Hailuo 02 and the MiniMax H3 family are priced per generation scaled by duration and resolution, from $0.096, and add start/end-frame and reference-to-video control for shots that need continuity. ### What You Skip No MiniMax account, no second set of credentials, no separate invoice, and no provider-specific SDK. Switching between MiniMax and any other video provider is a change to `model\_id`; the request body, the auth header and the polling endpoint stay the same. - Hailuo 2.3, 2.3 Fast, 02 and 02 start/end-frame - MiniMax H3 text, image, reference and start/end-frame to video - MiniMax M1, M2, M2.1 and M2.5 on the LLM endpoint - Per-call price and its unit visible before you send - Async ids, fetch endpoint and webhook delivery - One API key shared with image, speech and LLM MiniMax Models on ModelsLab --- Pick the model with model\_id on the video endpoint, or by name on the LLM endpoint. | model\_id | Model | Input | Listed price and unit | |---|---|---|---| | Hailuo-2.3-t2v | Hailuo 2.3 | Text | $0.067 / second | | Hailuo-2.3-i2v | Hailuo 2.3 | Image | $0.067 / second | | Hailuo-2.3-Fast-i2v | Hailuo 2.3 Fast | Image | $0.038 / second | | Hailuo-02-t2v | Hailuo 02 | Text | from $0.096, by duration | | Hailuo-02-start-end-frame | Hailuo 02 | Start/end frames | from $0.096, by duration | | Minimax-h3-t2v | MiniMax H3 | Text | from $0.096, by duration | | Minimax-h3-r2v | MiniMax H3 | Reference images | from $0.096, by duration | | minimax-minimax-m2 | MiniMax M2 (LLM) | Chat | per million tokens | Prices as listed on each model page in September 2026. Note the unit: the Hailuo models are billed per second of output, the H3 models per generation scaled by duration and resolution. MiniMax is a third-party provider, billed per call from wallet balance on any plan. MiniMax API quick start --- Hailuo video from a prompt, from a still, and the M2 LLM on the same key. ### Hailuo 2.3 text to video (Python) Python ``` 1import requests 2 3response = requests.post( 4 "https://modelslab.com/api/v7/video-fusion/text-to-video", 5 headers={ 6 "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_MODELSLAB_API_KEY", 7 "Content-Type": "application/json", 8 }, 9 json={ 10 "model_id": "Hailuo-2.3-t2v", 11 "prompt": "a cyclist crests a hill at sunrise, camera tracks alongside", 12 "duration": 5, 13 "aspect_ratio": "16:9", 14 }, 15) 16 17# Returns an id — poll fetch/{id} or pass a webhook 18print(response.json()) ``` ### MiniMax H3 image to video (JavaScript) JavaScript ``` 1const response = await fetch( 2 'https://modelslab.com/api/v7/video-fusion/image-to-video', 3 { 4 method: 'POST', 5 headers: { 6 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 7 Authorization: 'Bearer YOUR_MODELSLAB_API_KEY', 8 }, 9 body: JSON.stringify({ 10 model_id: 'minimax-h3-i2v', 11 prompt: 'slow dolly in, shallow depth of field', 12 init_image: ['https://example.com/still.jpg'], 13 duration: 5, 14 }), 15 }, 16); 17 18const { id } = await response.json(); 19console.log(`queued as ${id}`); ``` ### MiniMax M2 chat (Python, OpenAI SDK) Python ``` 1from openai import OpenAI 2 3client = OpenAI( 4 api_key="YOUR_MODELSLAB_API_KEY", 5 base_url="https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm", 6) 7 8response = client.chat.completions.create( 9 model="minimax-minimax-m2", 10 messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Draft three prompts for a product video."}], 11) 12 13print(response.choices[0].message.content) ``` Generate with MiniMax in 3 Steps --- Same endpoint as every other video model. STEP 01 STEP 01 ### Step 1: Get Your API Key Create a ModelsLab account, subscribe to a video plan from $21/month, add wallet balance for third-party models, and copy your key. STEP 02 STEP 02 ### Step 2: Send a MiniMax model\_id POST to /api/v7/video-fusion/text-to-video with Hailuo-2.3-t2v, Hailuo-02-t2v or Minimax-h3-t2v, plus prompt, duration and aspect\_ratio. Use /image-to-video with init\_image to animate a still. STEP 03 STEP 03 ### Step 3: Fetch the Clip The request returns an id. POST /api/v7/video-fusion/fetch/{id} until output is populated, or pass a webhook URL and receive the MP4 when it is ready. [Get API Key ](https://modelslab.com/register) Related video API guides --- [### AI Video API The full video endpoint set MiniMax sits inside: text, image, video and audio inputs.](/ai-video-api) [### Seedance API ByteDance’s video family on the same endpoint, for a side-by-side comparison.](/seedance-api) [### Kling API Kling 3.0, V2.5 Turbo and motion control, priced per call on the same key.](https://modelslab.com/kling-ai-api) ### Hailuo or H3? They are two generations of the same provider’s video stack, and both are live. Hailuo 2.3 is the cheaper and faster option at $0.067 — or $0.038 for the Fast image-to-video variant — and is the sensible default for iteration and for volume. The H3 family costs $0.096 and adds reference-to-video and start/end-frame control, which is what you want when a shot has to match the one before it. Because both sit behind the same endpoint, comparing them is a change to `model\_id` and nothing else. Draft on 2.3 Fast, promote the take you are shipping to H3 if it needs the extra control. ### The Self-Hosted H3 Builds Are Cheaper Worth knowing before you pick a model\_id: alongside the MiniMax-billed H3 rows, ModelsLab runs its own H3 builds on its own GPUs — h3-minimax-t2v and h3-minimax-r2v at $0.050 per second, and h3-minimax-ref-to-video-fast from $0.040. They are cheaper than the provider-billed equivalents and are covered by your plan rather than by wallet balance. If you do not specifically need MiniMax’s own hosting, start there. ### Pricing MiniMax is a third-party provider, so video generation is billed per call from wallet balance on top of a video plan, on every plan including the $199 unlimited tier — that tier covers the open-weight models ModelsLab self-hosts, and MiniMax is not one of them. Read the unit carefully: the Hailuo models are priced per second of output, so a five-second clip at $0.067 per second costs about $0.34, while the H3 models quote a base price that scales with duration and resolution. Every model page shows its own unit. LLM usage is billed per million tokens. Why Call MiniMax Through ModelsLab --- Key advantages that set us apart Hailuo 2.3, 2.3 Fast, 02 and MiniMax H3 video MiniMax M1, M2, M2.1 and M2.5 on the LLM endpoint No MiniMax account or second invoice Same endpoint as Kling, Veo, Wan and Seedance Reference-to-video and start/end-frame control on H3 Per-call price and unit shown before you send Async id, fetch endpoint and webhook delivery Video plans from $21/month Our Popular Use Cases What teams build with the MiniMax API: High-Volume Social ClipsShot ContinuityProduct AnimationModel Bake-offsAgent BackendsCreator Tools Hailuo 2.3 Fast at $0.038 per second makes short test cuts cheap enough to run dozens of variants. ![High-Volume Social Clips](https://imagedelivery.net/PP4qZJxMlvGLHJQBm3ErNg/0fbacb1a-6e34-4254-0a9d-5e75178cf200/768) MiniMax API FAQ --- ### Hailuo or MiniMax H3 — which should I start on? Start on Hailuo 2.3. It is billed per second of output at $0.067, which makes iteration cheap, and for most prompts the quality difference is not what decides the shot. Move to H3 when you need reference-to-video or start/end-frame control to keep a subject consistent across clips. ### How do I work out what a clip will actually cost? Check the unit on the model page, not just the number. Hailuo is per second, so multiply by your duration — a five-second clip at $0.067 per second is about $0.34. The H3 models quote a base price that scales with duration and resolution. The final figure is shown before the request is sent. ### Can I mix MiniMax with other video providers in one pipeline? Yes, and that is the main reason to call it here. Kling, Veo, Wan, Seedance and MiniMax all sit behind /api/v7/video-fusion/, so routing between them is a change to model\_id with the same request body, the same key and the same fetch endpoint. ### Does the $199 unlimited plan cover MiniMax? No. Unlimited applies to the open-weight video models ModelsLab self-hosts. MiniMax is third-party, so it is billed per call from wallet balance on every plan including that one. ### Is the MiniMax LLM billed the same way as the video models? No — the M-series LLMs are billed per million tokens on the OpenAI-compatible chat endpoint, while the video models are billed per call from wallet balance. Same key, two different meters. Your Data is Secure: GDPR Compliant AI Services --- ![ModelsLab GDPR Compliance Certification Badge](https://imagedelivery.net/PP4qZJxMlvGLHJQBm3ErNg/28133112-07fe-4c1c-44eb-36948d51ae00/768) ### Start Creating Amazing AI Videos in Minutes Choose plan as per your needs, cancel anytime. Coming Soon --- We are making some changes to our pricing, please check back later. Get Expert Support in Seconds We're Here to Help. --- Want to know more? You can email us anytime at Chat with support[View Docs](https://docs.modelslab.com) The Hailuo video family (Hailuo 2.3, Hailuo 2.3 Fast and Hailuo 02, in text-to-video, image-to-video and start/end-frame variants), the MiniMax H3 family (text-to-video, image-to-video, reference-to-video and start/end-frame) and the MiniMax M1 and M2 LLMs. MiniMax is a third-party provider, billed per call from wallet balance on top of a plan. In September 2026 the model pages list Hailuo 2.3 at $0.067 per second of output and Hailuo 2.3 Fast at $0.038 per second, while Hailuo 02 and MiniMax H3 start at $0.096 per generation scaled by duration and resolution. A five-second Hailuo 2.3 clip is therefore about $0.34, not $0.067. LLM usage is billed per million tokens. No. ModelsLab calls MiniMax for you. You use a ModelsLab API key, the same one that covers Kling, Veo, Seedance, Wan and the rest of the video catalogue. POST https://modelslab.com/api/v7/video-fusion/text-to-video with `model_id` set to `Hailuo-2.3-t2v`, `Hailuo-02-t2v` or `Minimax-h3-t2v`, plus `prompt`, `duration` and `aspect_ratio`. Use /image-to-video with `init_image` and the matching i2v model id to animate a still. They are two generations of the same provider's video stack. Hailuo 2.3 is the cheaper and faster option at $0.067 per second of output, and the H3 family adds reference-to-video and start/end-frame control from $0.096 per generation scaled by duration. ModelsLab also self-hosts its own H3 builds — `h3-minimax-t2v` at $0.050 per second and `h3-minimax-ref-to-video-fast` from $0.040 — which are cheaper again because they run on our GPUs. All of them sit behind the same endpoint, so comparing them is a change to `model_id`. Yes. MiniMax M1 and M2 are available on the OpenAI-compatible endpoint at /api/v7/llm/chat/completions, billed per million tokens, with the same API key that runs the video models. ModelsLab is a paid service. Video plans start at $21/month and MiniMax is billed per call on top from wallet balance. Creating an account is free, but generating requires an active plan. Explore Our Other Solutions --- Unlock your creative potential and scale your business with ModelsLab's comprehensive suite of AI-powered solutions. [Imagen ### AI Image Generation & Tools Generate, edit, upscale, and transform images with state-of-the-art AI models. Explore Imagen](https://modelslab.com/imagen) [Audio Gen ### AI Audio Generation Text-to-speech, voice cloning, music generation, and audio processing APIs. Explore Audio Gen](https://modelslab.com/audio-gen) [Chat ### Engage Seamlessly with LLM Access powerful language models for chatbots, content generation, and AI assistants. Explore Chat](https://modelslab.com/custom-llm) [3D Verse ### Create Stunning 3D Models Transform images and text into 3D models with advanced AI-powered generation. Explore 3D Verse](https://modelslab.com/text-to-3d) Plugins Explore Plugins for Pro --- Our plugins are designed to work with the most popular content creation software. [Explore Plugins](https://modelslab.com/pro#plugins) [Learn More](https://modelslab.com/pro) API Build Apps with ModelsLab ML API --- Use our API to build apps, generate AI art, create videos, and produce audio with ease. [API Documentation](https://docs.modelslab.com) [Playground](https://modelslab.com/models) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Which MiniMax models does the API expose? The Hailuo video family (Hailuo 2.3, Hailuo 2.3 Fast and Hailuo 02, in text-to-video, image-to-video and start/end-frame variants), the MiniMax H3 family (text-to-video, image-to-video, reference-to-video and start/end-frame) and the MiniMax M1 and M2 LLMs. ### How much does the MiniMax API cost? MiniMax is a third-party provider, billed per call from wallet balance on top of a plan. In September 2026 the model pages list Hailuo 2.3 at $0.067 per second of output and Hailuo 2.3 Fast at $0.038 per second, while Hailuo 02 and MiniMax H3 start at $0.096 per generation scaled by duration and resolution. A five-second Hailuo 2.3 clip is therefore about $0.34, not $0.067. LLM usage is billed per million tokens. ### Do I need a MiniMax account? No. ModelsLab calls MiniMax for you. You use a ModelsLab API key, the same one that covers Kling, Veo, Seedance, Wan and the rest of the video catalogue. ### Which endpoint generates Hailuo video? POST https://modelslab.com/api/v7/video-fusion/text-to-video with `model_id` set to `Hailuo-2.3-t2v`, `Hailuo-02-t2v` or `Minimax-h3-t2v`, plus `prompt`, `duration` and `aspect_ratio`. Use /image-to-video with `init_image` and the matching i2v model id to animate a still. ### What is the difference between Hailuo and MiniMax H3? They are two generations of the same provider's video stack. Hailuo 2.3 is the cheaper and faster option at $0.067 per second of output, and the H3 family adds reference-to-video and start/end-frame control from $0.096 per generation scaled by duration. ModelsLab also self-hosts its own H3 builds — `h3-minimax-t2v` at $0.050 per second and `h3-minimax-ref-to-video-fast` from $0.040 — which are cheaper again because they run on our GPUs. All of them sit behind the same endpoint, so comparing them is a change to `model_id`. ### Can I use the MiniMax LLM on the same key? Yes. MiniMax M1 and M2 are available on the OpenAI-compatible endpoint at /api/v7/llm/chat/completions, billed per million tokens, with the same API key that runs the video models. ### Is there a free MiniMax API? ModelsLab is a paid service. Video plans start at $21/month and MiniMax is billed per call on top from wallet balance. Creating an account is free, but generating requires an active plan. --- *This markdown version is optimized for AI agents and LLMs.* **Links:** - [Website](https://modelslab.com) - [API Documentation](https://docs.modelslab.com) - [Blog](https://modelslab.com/blog) --- *Generated by ModelsLab - 2026-09-16*