Gemini 3 Flash vs Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite
Gemini 3 Flash and Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite are closely matched at 36.8 and 30.1 on the LLM Stats Score. Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite is 1.3x cheaper per token.
Google · Google · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
Gemini 3 Flash and Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite are closely matched on the overall LLM Stats Score at 36.8 and 30.1.
In the 2 individual benchmarks reported for both models, Gemini 3 Flash wins 2; this is a narrower head-to-head signal than the composite indexes.
On price, Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite is roughly 1.3x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite also accepts a larger context window (1,048,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.
Based on current LLM Stats indexes, shared benchmarks, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.
Choose Gemini 3 Flash
- your work emphasizes reasoning — it leads those capability indexes
- you value its reported benchmark strengths — it wins 2 of 2 exact shared results
Choose Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite
- cost matters — it's about 1.3x cheaper per token
- you process long inputs — it offers a 1,048,576 token context window
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Jul 2026
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Capability indexes
Additional strengths measured across groups of related public benchmarks
Individual benchmarks
24 reported for Gemini 3 Flash · 6 for Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite
Gemini 3 Flash outperforms in 2 benchmarks (CharXiv-R, MRCR v2 (8-needle)), while Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite is better at 0 benchmarks.
Gemini 3 Flash significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
Human preference
Blind head-to-head votes and playground preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, Gemini 3 Flash ($0.50/1M tokens) is 1.7x more expensive than Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite ($0.30/1M tokens).
For output processing, Gemini 3 Flash ($3.00/1M tokens) is 1.2x more expensive than Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite ($2.50/1M tokens).
In conclusion, Gemini 3 Flash is more expensive than Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite accepts 1,048,576 input tokens compared to Gemini 3 Flash's 1,000,000 tokens. Both models can generate responses up to 65,536 tokens.
Input capabilities
Documented input modalities across available providers
Both Gemini 3 Flash and Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite support multimodal inputs.
They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.
Gemini 3 Flash
Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite
License
Usage and distribution terms
Both models are licensed under proprietary licenses.
Both models have usage restrictions defined by their respective organizations.
Proprietary
Closed source
Proprietary
Closed source
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
Gemini 3 Flash was released on 2025-12-17, while Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite was released on 2026-07-21.
Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite is 7 months newer than Gemini 3 Flash.
Dec 17, 2025
8 months ago
Jul 21, 2026
1 months ago
7mo newerKnowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
Gemini 3 Flash has a knowledge cutoff of 2025-01-31, while Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite has a cutoff of 2026-03-31.
Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite has more recent training data (up to 2026-03-31), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to Gemini 3 Flash (2025-01-31).
Jan 2025
Mar 2026
1.2 yr newerProvider Availability
Gemini 3 Flash is available from Google. Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite is available from Google.
Gemini 3 Flash
Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against Gemini 3 Flash and Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about Gemini 3 Flash vs Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite.