Google DeepMind · gemma
Can I run gemma?
Gemma is a family of lightweight, state-of-the-art open models built by Google DeepMind. Updated to version 1.1
9B parameters8K contexttextGemma Terms of Use36 builds
gemma system requirements
Memory needed at 4K context, counting model weights, KV cache, compute buffers and runtime overhead. Download sizes come from the official Ollama registry.
| Build | Quantization | Download | Memory needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| gemma:2b-instruct-v1.1-q4_0 | Q4_0 | 1.4 GB | ~2.5 GB(est.) |
| gemma:2b-instruct-v1.1-q4_K_M | Q4_K_M | 1.5 GB | ~2.6 GB(est.) |
| gemma:2b-text-q4_0 | Q4_0 | 1.6 GB | ~2.6 GB(est.) |
| gemma:2b | Q4_0 | 1.6 GB | ~2.6 GB(est.) |
| gemma:2b-text-q4_K_M | Q4_K_M | 1.6 GB | ~2.7 GB(est.) |
| gemma:2b-instruct-q4_K_M | Q4_K_M | 1.6 GB | ~2.7 GB(est.) |
| gemma:2b-instruct-v1.1-q5_K_M | Q5_K_M | 1.7 GB | ~2.8 GB(est.) |
| gemma:2b-text-q5_K_M | Q5_K_M | 1.8 GB | ~3.0 GB(est.) |
Figures marked (est.) approximate the KV cache because this model's architecture details are not published. They are indicative rather than exact.
How to run gemma locally
- 1.Install Ollama for Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 2.Run this in a terminal:
ollama run gemma:2b-instruct-v1.1-q4_0 - 3.The weights download on first run, then an interactive prompt opens.
Frequently asked questions about gemma
- How much VRAM do I need to run gemma?
- At 4K context, the smallest published build of gemma (Q4_0) needs roughly 2.5 GB of GPU memory once weights, KV cache, compute buffers and runtime overhead are counted. Bigger quantizations and longer context windows need more. It can also run partly or entirely on the CPU using system RAM, more slowly.
- Can I run gemma without a dedicated GPU?
- Yes, but slowly. Without a GPU the model runs on the CPU using system RAM, which usually means a few tokens per second rather than dozens. You would need at least 2.5 GB of free RAM for the smallest build.
- How big is the gemma download?
- The smallest published build is 1.4 GB. There are 36 builds in total, the largest being 15.9 GB. Leave some extra free disk space beyond the download itself.
- How do I run gemma locally?
- Install Ollama, then run "ollama run gemma:2b-instruct-v1.1-q4_0" in a terminal. The weights download on first use and an interactive session opens.
Will gemma run on your PC?
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Model data from the official Ollama registry · verified 13/09/2026