IBM · bert
Can I run granite-embedding?
The IBM Granite Embedding 30M and 278M models models are text-only dense biencoder embedding models, with 30M available in English only and 278M serving multilingual use cases.
30M parameterstextApache License2 builds
granite-embedding 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| granite-embedding:30m | F16 | 0.1 GB | ~0.6 GB(est.) |
| granite-embedding:278m | F16 | 0.5 GB | ~1.2 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 granite-embedding locally
- 1.Install Ollama for Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 2.Run this in a terminal:
ollama run granite-embedding:30m - 3.The weights download on first run, then an interactive prompt opens.
Frequently asked questions about granite-embedding
- How much VRAM do I need to run granite-embedding?
- At 4K context, the smallest published build of granite-embedding (F16) needs roughly 0.6 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 granite-embedding 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 0.6 GB of free RAM for the smallest build.
- How big is the granite-embedding download?
- The smallest published build is 0.1 GB. There are 2 builds in total, the largest being 0.5 GB. Leave some extra free disk space beyond the download itself.
- How do I run granite-embedding locally?
- Install Ollama, then run "ollama run granite-embedding:30m" in a terminal. The weights download on first use and an interactive session opens.
Will granite-embedding run on your PC?
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Model data from the official Ollama registry · verified 13/09/2026