Gemma 4 31B VRAM Requirements: Q4, Q8, F16, and Practical Hardware

If you are searching for Gemma 4 31B VRAM requirements, the first thing to know is that the 31B is the most demanding model in the Gemma 4 family. It is also the strongest one, which is why many people still want to run it locally.

The useful answer is not just "how big is the file?" The useful answer is which quant can you load comfortably, and what kind of hardware stops feeling cramped?

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Gemma 4 31B VRAM requirements: short answer

As of April 7, 2026, the clearest public numbers are:

Source	Gemma 4 31B memory figure
LM Studio minimum system memory	19 GB
ggml-org Q4_K_M	18.7 GB
ggml-org Q8_0	32.6 GB
ggml-org F16	61.4 GB
Unsloth practical planning range	17-20 GB / 34-38 GB / 62 GB

That means:

• Q4 is the realistic local default
• Q8 is already a serious workstation-class target
• F16 / BF16 is not the normal consumer path

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Exact Gemma 4 31B VRAM requirements by quantization

The official ggml-org GGUF page for Gemma 4 31B lists:

Quantization	Approximate size
Q4_K_M	18.7 GB
Q8_0	32.6 GB
F16	61.4 GB

Unsloth's April 2026 local guide gives nearly the same planning view:

Format	Practical planning range
4-bit	17-20 GB
8-bit	34-38 GB
BF16 / FP16	62 GB

Those two sources line up well enough to use for real hardware planning.

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What hardware can actually run Gemma 4 31B?

For a simple buying-and-deployment view:

Your hardware	Gemma 4 31B fit
16 GB class	Not a safe target
24 GB GPU	Q4 is realistic
32 GB GPU	Q4 is comfortable, Q8 is still tight
48 GB GPU	Strong Q4 / safer Q8 target
64 GB unified memory	Good local target, but still not "free"
80 GB class accelerator	Comfortable F16 / BF16 territory

The key mistake with Gemma 4 31B VRAM requirements is planning right at the bare minimum.

Even if the raw model fits, you still want room for:

• runtime overhead
• longer contexts
• the operating system
• the rest of your local workflow

So treat 18.7-19 GB as the lower edge for Q4, not the comfortable target.

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Is 24 GB enough for Gemma 4 31B?

Yes, 24 GB is enough for Gemma 4 31B at Q4.

It is not enough for a carefree experience at every setting, and it is definitely not enough for Q8. But for the common "I want the 31B locally in 4-bit" goal, 24 GB is the number that starts to make sense.

If you only have 24 GB and want more breathing room, Gemma 4 26B A4B is usually the better local choice.

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Is 32 GB enough for Gemma 4 31B Q8?

This is where people get tripped up.

The official ggml-org Q8 figure is 32.6 GB, which means a raw 32 GB budget is already below the listed model size. In practice, 32 GB is not the comfortable answer for 31B Q8.

If your goal is Gemma 4 31B Q8, think more in terms of:

• 48 GB GPU class
• or a larger unified memory Mac / workstation setup

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Is F16 realistic for local users?

For most people, no.

The official ggml-org page lists 61.4 GB for F16, and Unsloth rounds the planning number to 62 GB. That is well outside normal consumer GPU budgets.

So if you are trying to run Gemma 4 31B locally, the realistic path is:

• Q4 first
• Q8 only if you have real headroom
• F16 only if you are deliberately targeting workstation or accelerator hardware

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Should you run 31B or 26B A4B?

If your real question behind Gemma 4 31B VRAM requirements is "Should I even try 31B?", the honest answer is:

• choose 31B if you want the strongest Gemma 4 model and can afford the memory
• choose 26B A4B if you want a much better speed-per-VRAM outcome

That is why the 26B A4B keeps showing up as the local sweet spot.

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FAQ

How much VRAM does Gemma 4 31B need?

For the public GGUF builds and planning guides available on April 7, 2026:

• Q4: about 18.7-20 GB
• Q8: about 32.6-38 GB
• F16 / BF16: about 61.4-62 GB

Can I run Gemma 4 31B on a 24 GB GPU?

Yes, for Q4. No, not comfortably for Q8.

What is the LM Studio minimum memory for Gemma 4 31B?

LM Studio currently lists 19 GB minimum system memory.

If I cannot fit 31B comfortably, what should I use instead?

Use Gemma 4 26B A4B.

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Official references

• LM Studio: Gemma 4 31B
• ggml-org Gemma 4 31B GGUF
• Unsloth Gemma 4 local guide
• Google Gemma 4 model card

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Related guides

• Gemma 4 26B vs 31B
• Gemma 4 26B A4B VRAM requirements
• Gemma 4 VRAM calculator
• Gemma 4 hardware requirements