Stability AI · stablelm
Can I run stablelm-zephyr?
A lightweight chat model allowing accurate, and responsive output without requiring high-end hardware.
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 contextstablelm-zephyr 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| stablelm-zephyr:3b3B parameters (tag)4K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | Q4_0 | 1.5 GB | ~3.3 GB |
| stablelm-zephyr:3b-q4_K_M3B parameters (tag)4K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | Q4_K_M | 1.6 GB | ~3.4 GB |
| stablelm-zephyr:3b-q5_K_M3B parameters (tag)4K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | Q5_K_M | 1.9 GB | ~3.6 GB |
| stablelm-zephyr:3b-q6_K3B parameters (tag)4K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | Q6_K | 2.1 GB | ~3.9 GB |
| stablelm-zephyr:3b-q8_03B parameters (tag)4K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | Q8_0 | 2.8 GB | ~4.6 GB |
| stablelm-zephyr:3b-fp163B parameters (tag)4K documented maximum contextBuild sourceCatalog checked 2026-10-13 | unknown | 5.2 GB | ~7.3 GB |
Showing the 6 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 stablelm-zephyr locally
- 1.Install Ollama for Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 2.Download this exact build in a terminal:
ollama pull stablelm-zephyr:3b - 3.Check the source for the build's task. For text generation, run
ollama run stablelm-zephyr:3b. Base/text builds may need a prompt template; an instruct build is usually the appropriate starting point for a conversation.
Frequently asked questions about stablelm-zephyr
- How much VRAM do I need to run stablelm-zephyr?
- At 4K context, the smallest published build of stablelm-zephyr (Q4_0) needs roughly 3.3 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 stablelm-zephyr without a dedicated GPU?
- A supported CPU runtime can use system RAM. The smallest listed build needs an estimated 3.3 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 stablelm-zephyr download?
- The smallest published build is 1.5 GB. There are 6 builds in total, the largest being 5.2 GB. Leave some extra free disk space beyond the download itself.
- How do I run stablelm-zephyr locally?
- Install Ollama, then download a specific build with "ollama pull stablelm-zephyr:3b". For a build that supports text generation, use ollama run with the same tag. Check the model source for its task and prompt format.
Will stablelm-zephyr run on your PC?
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Model data from the official Ollama registry · verified 13/10/2026