Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview
Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview provides early access to Alibaba Cloud's text-to-video rendering pipeline, generating clips up to 10 seconds at resolutions from 480p to 1080p with built-in audio synchronization.
View API reference- Price
- $0.05, Per secondLowest available configuration
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';
const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.5-t2v-preview', prompt: 'A serene mountain lake at sunrise.'});Copy link to headingPlayground
Try out Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview by Alibaba Cloud. Usage is billed to your team at API rates. Free users (those who haven't made a payment) get $5 of credits every 30 days.
Your generated video will appear here.
Copy link to headingProviders
Route requests across multiple providers. Copy a provider slug to set your preference. Visit the docs for more info. Using a provider means you agree to their terms, listed under Legal.
| Provider |
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Getting started
Generate videos with Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview using the experimental_generateVideo function from AI SDK 6 or later. AI Gateway handles routing and polls until the video is ready.
Install the AI SDK (pnpm add ai dotenv), create an API key from the API Keys page, and set it as AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY in your environment. Full setup is covered in the video generation quickstart.
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';import fs from 'node:fs';import 'dotenv/config';
async function main() { const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.5-t2v-preview', prompt: 'A chicken flying into the sunset in the style of 90s anime', });
// Save the generated video fs.writeFileSync('output.mp4', result.videos[0].uint8Array);
console.log('Video saved to output.mp4');}
main().catch(console.error);Top-level parameters
Drive the output with the top-level resolution and duration parameters. Wan uses resolution, not aspectRatio.
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';import fs from 'node:fs';import 'dotenv/config';
async function main() { const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.5-t2v-preview', prompt: 'A chicken flying into the sunset in the style of 90s anime', resolution: '1280x720', duration: 5, });
// Save the generated video fs.writeFileSync('output.mp4', result.videos[0].uint8Array);
console.log('Video saved to output.mp4');}
main().catch(console.error);| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
prompt | string | Yes | Text description of the video to generate. Max 1500 characters. |
duration | 5 | 10 | No | Video length in seconds. 5 or 10 seconds. |
resolution | string | No | Resolution ('854x480', '1280x720', '1920x1080'). |
aspectRatio | string | No | Aspect ratio ('16:9', '9:16', '1:1', '4:3', '3:4'). |
generateAudio | boolean | No | Generate synchronized audio with the video. |
Input limits
| Input | Formats | Sources | Max count | Max size | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text | — | — | — | — | Up to 1500 characters |
| Audio | wav, mp3 | url | — | 15 MB | 3-30s |
Provider options
Load the version-agnostic Wan options under providerOptions.alibaba. shotType (v2.6 only) and audioUrl (v2.5 only) are version-specific and documented in the table below.
import { experimental_generateVideo as generateVideo } from 'ai';import fs from 'node:fs';import 'dotenv/config';
async function main() { const result = await generateVideo({ model: 'alibaba/wan-v2.5-t2v-preview', prompt: 'A chicken flying into the sunset in the style of 90s anime', resolution: '1280x720', duration: 5, providerOptions: { alibaba: { promptExtend: true, negativePrompt: 'blurry, low quality', watermark: false, pollIntervalMs: 5000, pollTimeoutMs: 600000, }, }, });
// Save the generated video fs.writeFileSync('output.mp4', result.videos[0].uint8Array);
console.log('Video saved to output.mp4');}
main().catch(console.error);Pass Wan-specific options under providerOptions.alibaba in your generateVideo call.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
promptExtend | boolean | No | Enhance prompt for better quality. Defaults to true. |
negativePrompt | string | No | What to avoid in the video. Max 500 characters. |
audioUrl | string | No | URL to audio file for audio-video sync — see the Input limits table for supported formats, duration, and size. v2.5 only. |
shotType | 'single' | 'multi' | No | 'multi' enables multi-shot cinematic narrative. v2.6 only. |
watermark | boolean | No | Add watermark to the video. Defaults to false. |
pollIntervalMs | number | No | How often to check task status. Defaults to 5000. |
pollTimeoutMs | number | No | Maximum wait time. Defaults to 600000 (10 minutes). |
Copy link to headingAbout Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview
Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview marked Alibaba Cloud's initial public release of the Wan text-to-video architecture. Given only a free-form text prompt, it produces single-shot video clips up to 10 seconds long, with output available at 480p, 720p, or 1080p across three aspect ratios: landscape (16:9), portrait (9:16), and square (1:1).
What set this release apart from many early text-to-video models was its integrated audio generation. Rather than rendering silent video and requiring a separate dubbing pass, the 2.5 pipeline synthesizes ambient sound, effects, and even prompted character dialogue with lip-sync, all within a single generation call. For workflows that need audio-visual output, this removes an entire post-processing step.
The preview designation means the model is intended primarily for evaluation and prototyping. Teams can use it to develop prompt strategies, validate resolution and aspect ratio choices, and estimate costs at the 480p tier before scaling up to the production-grade Wan 2.6 models.
Copy link to headingWhat To Consider When Choosing a Provider
- Configuration: Preview-tier models may exhibit higher generation latency than their stable counterparts. If your workflow has strict turnaround requirements, benchmark generation times at your target resolution before integrating into production.
- Zero Data Retention: Zero Data Retention is available for this model. It is offered on a per-provider and model basis. See the documentation for details.
- Authentication: AI Gateway authenticates requests using an API key or OIDC token. You do not need to manage provider credentials directly.
Copy link to headingWhen to Use Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview
Best for
- Evaluating the wan pipeline: Exploring Alibaba Cloud's text-to-video system without committing to the higher-capability 2.6 series
- Short social clips: Generating videos up to 10 seconds from text descriptions, particularly in portrait 9:16 format
- Baked-in audio workflows: Use cases that need audio in the generated video without a separate dubbing tool
- 480p cost exploration: Running cost tests at the lower resolution tier before budgeting for higher-fidelity output
Consider alternatives when
- Longer or multi-shot clips: Wan-v2.6-t2v extends to 15 seconds with multi-shot storytelling and automatic scene transitions
- Image-to-video conversion: Wan-v2.6-i2v and wan-v2.6-i2v-flash handle animation from a source image
- Consistent character identity: Wan-v2.6-r2v provides reference-based identity transfer across scenes
Copy link to headingConclusion
Wan v2.5 Text-to-Video Preview remains a useful on-ramp for developers entering the Alibaba Cloud video generation ecosystem. Its integrated audio pipeline, flexible resolution options, and preview-tier positioning make it well-suited for prototyping and low-resolution production work.
Copy link to headingFrequently Asked Questions
Why would I choose the v2.5 preview over the newer v2.6 model?
The v2.5 preview supports 480p output (which v2.6 T2V doesn't), making it a lower-cost option for draft-quality renders and prompt experimentation. It also serves as a lighter-weight entry point for teams still evaluating the Wan pipeline.
Can this model generate vertical video for mobile platforms?
Yes. The 9:16 aspect ratio produces portrait-oriented output suitable for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
How does the built-in audio feature work?
Audio is generated in the same rendering pass as the video. The model produces ambient sound, effects, and, if the prompt describes speech, character dialogue with lip-sync, all without requiring a separate audio generation tool.
What kind of text prompts work best with this model?
Descriptive scene prompts that specify setting, action, and mood tend to produce the most coherent output. Including details about lighting, camera angle, and desired audio cues gives the model more information to work with.
Is there a way to control video duration precisely?
You can request specific durations within the model's range. The maximum is 10 seconds; for longer output, use the Wan v2.6 T2V model.
Do I need special Vercel plan access to use this model?
Access requires a Pro or Enterprise plan or paid AI Gateway usage.
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