Ollama Library · qwen2
Can I run smallthinker?
A new small reasoning model fine-tuned from the Qwen 2.5 3B Instruct model.
Parameter counts and memory belong to each build below. A family can contain several sizes and tasks; fitting in memory is not a quality ranking.
Calculate memory for a build and contextsmallthinker 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| smallthinker:3b-preview-q4_K_M3B parameters (tag)32K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | Q4_K_M | 2.0 GB | ~2.6 GB |
| smallthinker:3b3B parameters (tag)32K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | Q8_0 | 3.4 GB | ~4.2 GB |
| smallthinker:3b-preview-fp163B parameters (tag)32K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | F16 | 6.3 GB | ~7.4 GB |
Showing the 3 smallest non-alias builds. Choose any build and change the context. A context above the build's documented maximum is a hypothetical calculation, not a supported setting.
How to run smallthinker locally
- 1.Install Ollama for Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 2.Download this exact build in a terminal:
ollama pull smallthinker:3b-preview-q4_K_M - 3.Check the source for the build's task. For text generation, run
ollama run smallthinker:3b-preview-q4_K_M. Base/text builds may need a prompt template; an instruct build is usually the appropriate starting point for a conversation.
Frequently asked questions about smallthinker
- How much VRAM do I need to run smallthinker?
- At 4K context, the smallest published build of smallthinker (Q4_K_M) needs roughly 2.6 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 smallthinker without a dedicated GPU?
- A supported CPU runtime can use system RAM. The smallest listed build needs an estimated 2.6 GB at 4K context, plus headroom for your operating system. Check the build's runtime requirements. We have not measured its speed on your CPU.
- How big is the smallthinker download?
- The smallest published build is 2.0 GB. There are 3 builds in total, the largest being 6.3 GB. Leave some extra free disk space beyond the download itself.
- How do I run smallthinker locally?
- Install Ollama, then download a specific build with "ollama pull smallthinker:3b-preview-q4_K_M". For a build that supports text generation, use ollama run with the same tag. Check the model source for its task and prompt format.
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Or start from your memory: 8 GB VRAM, 12 GB VRAM, 16 GB VRAM, 24 GB VRAM or a 16 GB Mac.
Model data from the official Ollama registry · verified 13/10/2026