One-page reference for prompting Pika: the models, the signature features (Pikaffects, Pikaframes, Pikascenes, Pikadditions), the camera and lighting language Pika understands, and the aspect ratios to publish in.
Keep this open while you write. For the method behind it, read how to prompt Pika for realistic video; for ready-made prompts, the 36 best Pika prompts.
Pika models
Pick the model for the job: iterate cheaply on Turbo, then finalize on 2.5.
| Model | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pika 2.5 | Highest-quality, client-ready clips | Full feature set; best motion and fidelity |
| Pika 2.2 | High-quality clips with Pikaframes | Keyframe transitions up to ~10s |
| Turbo | Fast drafts and prompt iteration | Prioritizes speed over maximum fidelity |
| Pro | Polished commercial output | Client-ready visuals |
Signature features
| Feature | What it does | Prompt cue |
|---|---|---|
| Pikaffects | One dramatic transformation on the subject | Cakeify:, Explode:, Melt: … |
| Pikaframes | Smooth motion between keyframes (up to ~10s) | Pikaframes: transition from … to … |
| Pikascenes | Combine "ingredient" images into one shot | Pikascenes: place [character] in [setting] |
| Pikadditions | Add an object/character into existing footage | add [object] to the scene, match lighting |
| Pikaswaps | Replace an object in a clip | swap [A] for [B], keep everything else |
| Pikaformance | Talking-face lip-sync to audio | Upload a face + audio |
Pikaffects reference
| Effect | Result | Works great on |
|---|---|---|
| Cakeify | Sliced open to reveal cake inside | Objects, shoes, bags |
| Explode | Bursts apart in slow motion | Fruit, piñatas, paint |
| Melt | Slowly melts into a puddle | Statues, chocolate, ice cream |
| Inflate | Swells like a balloon | Toys, furniture, shoes |
| Deflate | Shrinks and sinks | Cars, balloons, props |
| Squish | Compresses then springs back | Food, toys, soft objects |
| Crush | Flattened by an unseen force | Cans, bottles, barrels |
| Levitate | Rises and floats | Cups, groceries, people |
| Dissolve | Disintegrates into particles | Statues, props |
| Ta-da | Pops open with a reveal | Boxes, umbrellas |
Camera moves
| Term | Effect |
|---|---|
| Push-in / dolly-in | Moves toward the subject; builds focus |
| Pull-out | Moves away; reveals context |
| Tracking shot | Follows a moving subject |
| Orbital / arc | Circles the subject; product reveals |
| Drone / aerial | High sweeping motion over a scene |
| Pan / tilt | Rotates from a fixed point |
| Static shot | Locked frame; subject provides motion |
| Handheld | Subtle shake; documentary/UGC feel |
Lighting & style modifiers
| Category | Modifiers |
|---|---|
| Time of day | golden hour, blue hour, dawn, dusk, midday, night |
| Quality | soft light, hard side light, backlit, rim light, diffused |
| Grade / mood | cinematic, teal-and-magenta, warm, moody, dreamy, high-contrast |
| Lens / depth | macro, shallow depth of field, bokeh, wide-angle, telephoto |
| Speed | slow motion, real time, time-lapse, hyperlapse |
Aspect ratios & length
| Ratio | Use for |
|---|---|
| 16:9 | Cinematic, YouTube, landscape edits |
| 9:16 | TikTok, Reels, Shorts, Stories |
| 1:1 | Feed posts, square ads |
Clips run a few seconds by default and extend to about 10 seconds with Pikaframes. For longer pieces, generate several clips and stitch them, or loop a short one for backgrounds.
Example prompts
Putting the sheet to work:
Cakeify: a sneaker on a plain background, sliced open to reveal cake inside, close-up, soft studio light.Aerial drone push over a foggy forest at dawn, slow forward glide, soft blue light, cinematic, 16:9.9:16 vertical: a serum bottle rotating on marble, light sweep and droplets, clean beauty-ad look, space for text, no text on frame.Pikaframes: transition from a daytime beach to the same beach at sunset, smooth continuous camera move, 10-second sequence.Animate this portrait: gentle blinking and a soft smile, hair in a light breeze; keep the face and background identical; static camera.Frequently Asked Questions
What are Pika’s main features?
Pikaffects (one-tap transformations), Pikaframes (smooth keyframe transitions up to ~10s), Pikascenes (combine ingredient images), Pikadditions (add objects to footage), Pikaswaps (replace objects), and Pikaformance (talking-face lip-sync).
What aspect ratios does Pika support?
Common ratios including 16:9 for cinematic and YouTube, 9:16 for vertical social feeds, and 1:1 for square posts. Generate in the ratio you will publish in to avoid cropping and losing resolution.
How long can a Pika clip be?
A few seconds by default, extendable to about 10 seconds with Pikaframes. For longer videos, generate multiple clips and stitch them in an editor, or loop a short clip for background use.
What camera moves can I ask for?
Push-in, pull-out, tracking, orbital, drone, pan, tilt, static, and handheld. Name the move explicitly in the prompt and Pika applies it — this is more reliable than expecting motion by default.
How do I trigger a Pikaffect in a prompt?
Lead with the effect name followed by a colon and the subject — for example "Melt: a chocolate bunny…". Pika detects the primary subject and applies the transformation; a clean background improves detection.
Which lighting terms work best?
Time-of-day cues (golden hour, blue hour, night), quality cues (soft, hard side, backlit, rim), and a grade or mood (cinematic, teal-and-magenta, warm, moody). Combining one of each gives Pika clear direction.