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How to Use Leonardo AI 2026: Free Image Generation Guide

Updated June 2026 · 8 min read
Leonardo.Ai is the best free AI image generator in 2026. 150 free tokens daily, commercial use allowed, and advanced controls that rival paid tools. This guide covers setup to advanced features.

💰 Pricing

Free plan: 150 tokens/day (~30-70 images). Paid plans start at $12/month for more tokens and features.

🚀 How to Get Started

1

Go to leonardo.ai

Visit leonardo.ai and click 'Get Started'. Sign up with email or Google — no credit card required.

2

Explore the dashboard

The main dashboard shows trending images for inspiration. Browse to understand what's possible before generating your first image.

3

Start a new generation

Click 'Image Generation' in the sidebar. You'll see a prompt box and a panel of settings on the left.

4

Choose a model

Leonardo has multiple AI models tuned for different styles: Leonardo Diffusion XL (general), DreamShaper (artistic), PhotoReal (photorealism). Start with Diffusion XL.

5

Write your prompt and generate

Describe your image in the prompt box. Add a negative prompt (things you don't want) in the negative prompt box. Click Generate. Each image costs 4-8 tokens.

💡 Pro Tips

Use PhotoReal for product photos The PhotoReal model produces the most photorealistic results — good for product imagery and portraits.
Use the Negative Prompt Always add: 'blurry, low quality, watermark, text, deformed' to your negative prompt. This eliminates common AI image issues.
Try Sketch to Image Upload a rough sketch and Leonardo transforms it into a polished image. Powerful for designers with a concept but limited illustration skills.

❓ FAQ

How many free images do I get?

150 tokens daily (~30-70 images depending on settings). Tokens reset every 24 hours.

Can I use Leonardo AI images commercially?

Yes — commercial use is allowed even on the free plan, which is rare. Verify current terms before use.

How does Leonardo compare to Midjourney?

Midjourney has higher quality for artistic work. Leonardo is free with commercial use and has more technical controls. See our full comparison.

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