Runway Gen-4.5

cinematiccommercialshigh-fidelity

Runway · Multimodal Transformer · v4.5verifiedVerified

$0.25/sec

starting from, on Runway API

Resolution

1080p

Duration

5–10s

Providers

2

Text-to-VideoImage-to-VideoAudioCameraMulti-ShotV2VMotion BrushExtend

API Pricing

Runway APIGen-4.5Cheapest
Try it →
Text-to-Video
$0.250/s
Image-to-Video
$0.250/s
Verified 2026-04-10
ReplicateGen-4.5
Try it →
Text-to-Video
$0.250/s
Verified 2026-04-10

Why Runway Gen-4.5?

thumb_upStrengths

  • Top-ranked video model on Artificial Analysis Arena with 1,247 peak ELO -- highest quality output
  • Breakthrough physical accuracy: realistic weight, inertia, liquid, cloth, and collision simulation
  • Six aspect ratio options including 21:9 ultrawide for cinematic productions
  • Full creative control suite: text-to-video, image-to-video, video-to-video, keyframes, actor references
  • Native audio generation with multi-shot sequencing for longer narratives

infoLimitations

  • Premium pricing at $0.25/second -- among the most expensive API options
  • Limited to 10-second clips per generation (extendable via sequencing)
  • Only 24fps output, no higher frame rate options
  • Not available on FAL.ai or WaveSpeed -- only Runway's own API and Replicate
  • Closed source with no self-deployment option

auto_fix_highPrompt Guide

  1. 1Focus on motion, not appearance -- Gen-4.5 treats your image as the first frame, so describe how the scene should move rather than re-describing what is already visible.
  2. 2Start simple and iterate -- begin with a clear prompt covering the most critical visual and motion components, then add detail to refine results.
  3. 3Use specific, physical language -- instead of 'the man walks', write 'The man in the blue jacket walks briskly from left to right.' Avoid abstract or conceptual descriptions.
  4. 4Follow the structure: [Camera] shot of [subject] [action] in [environment] -- this blueprint consistently produces high-quality output.
  5. 5Combine camera terms for cinematic sequences -- Gen-4.5 has excellent prompt adherence and can handle mixed camera angles, motion, composition, and other complex elements in a single prompt.
  6. 6Use only positive language -- Gen-4.5 interprets what should happen, not what should be avoided. Negative phrasing is not supported.

✓ Do this

  • Be explicit about subject motion with physical verbs: 'glides', 'stumbles', 'lunges' rather than generic 'moves'
  • Describe camera movement with cinematic terminology: tracking shot, dolly zoom, crane shot, POV, static wide, slow push-in
  • For image-to-video, focus exclusively on what changes -- the image already defines composition, lighting, and style
  • Leverage the full 6 aspect ratio options (16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 21:9) to match your distribution platform
  • For long-form projects, use the extend feature to build sequences beyond the 10-second single-shot limit

✗ Avoid this

  • Maximum single-shot duration is 10 seconds at 1080p
  • Only 24fps output -- no 30fps or 60fps options
  • Negative prompts are not supported -- describe what you want, not what to avoid
  • Text rendering within generated video is unreliable
  • Very rapid scene changes in a single clip may produce motion artifacts

Example Prompts

Cinematic / Landscape

Slow tracking shot of a woman in a white linen dress walking through a sunlit wheat field at golden hour. Her hair catches the breeze, fabric flowing behind her. Camera follows at waist height, shallow depth of field.

Product / Commercial

Close-up of a chef's hands slicing a ripe tomato on a wooden cutting board. Juice and seeds scatter across the surface. Overhead static shot, warm kitchen lighting, shallow focus.

Sci-fi / Physics

A astronaut floats weightlessly inside a space station module, slowly rotating. Sunlight streams through a porthole, casting shifting shadows. Camera drifts gently forward.

Based on the official prompt guide →

FAQexpand_more

How much does Runway Gen-4.5 cost?

From $0.25/sec on Runway API. A 5-second video ≈ $1.25.

Where can I use Runway Gen-4.5?

Via API on Runway API and Replicate.

How do I get good results with Runway Gen-4.5?

Focus on motion, not appearance -- Gen-4.5 treats your image as the first frame, so describe how the scene should move rather than re-describing what is already visible. See the prompt guide below.