> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.varg.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Image Upscale

> Enhance and upscale images with 6 models at different quality-cost tradeoffs

## Overview

varg offers 6 image upscale models ranging from free-tier to premium. All take an image URL and return a higher-resolution version.

| Model ID           | Quality   | Credits | \~Cost | Provider               |
| ------------------ | --------- | ------- | ------ | ---------------------- |
| `topaz`            | Best      | 15      | \$0.15 | fal (Topaz Labs)       |
| `seedvr`           | Very good | 10      | \$0.10 | fal (ByteDance SeedVR) |
| `recraft-clarity`  | Good      | 8       | \$0.08 | fal (Recraft)          |
| `clarity-upscaler` | Good      | 8       | \$0.08 | fal                    |
| `ccsr`             | Basic     | 5       | \$0.05 | fal (free tier)        |
| `aura-sr`          | Basic     | 5       | \$0.05 | fal (free tier)        |

## Quick start

<CodeGroup>
  ```typescript SDK theme={null}
  import { createVarg } from "vargai/ai"

  const varg = createVarg({ apiKey: process.env.VARG_API_KEY! })

  const result = await varg.imageModel("seedvr").generate({
    imageUrl: "https://example.com/low-res-photo.jpg",
  })

  console.log(result.image.url)
  ```

  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.varg.ai/v1/image \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $VARG_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "model": "seedvr",
      "prompt": "",
      "files": [{ "url": "https://example.com/low-res-photo.jpg" }]
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Parameters

<ResponseField name="files" type="array" required>
  Single image to upscale: `[{ url: "image.jpg" }]`.
</ResponseField>

<Note>
  Upscale models don't use prompt or aspect\_ratio. They take a single input image and return it at higher resolution.
</Note>

## Model comparison

| Model              | Best for                       | Pricing model                        |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ |
| `topaz`            | Professional / maximum quality | $0.08-$0.16 per image                |
| `seedvr`           | Good quality at moderate cost  | $0.001 per megapixel (~$0.10 for 4K) |
| `recraft-clarity`  | Design assets, illustrations   | \$0.04 per image                     |
| `clarity-upscaler` | General purpose                | \$0.03 per megapixel                 |
| `ccsr`             | Free/cheap bulk upscaling      | Free on fal                          |
| `aura-sr`          | Free/cheap bulk upscaling      | Free on fal                          |

## Tips

* **Topaz** produces the best results but is the most expensive. Use for hero images and final deliverables.
* **SeedVR** is the best value — excellent quality at a fraction of Topaz's cost.
* **CCSR and Aura-SR** are effectively free on fal (varg charges 5 credits for the API overhead). Good for batch processing.
* **Combine with Phota Enhance** if you need identity-preserving upscaling for faces.

## Related models

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Video Upscale" icon="expand" href="/models/upscale/video-upscale">
    Upscale video files instead of images.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Phota Enhance" icon="camera" href="/models/image/phota">
    Identity-preserving enhancement (faces + features).
  </Card>
</CardGroup>