How to use Gemini's Thinking Mode
Set Gemini's thinking level to High, send a prompt that needs real reasoning, and read the worked-out answer with its calculations laid out step by step.
Quick answer
Open the mode picker next to the prompt box, point at Thinking level, and choose High for the most thorough reasoning. Then type a problem that needs working out, send it, and read the step-by-step answer Gemini returns. Low is the default, while Medium sits between the two.
Steps at a glance
- Open the mode picker beside the prompt box
- Point at Thinking level to see the options
- Choose High for extra thorough reasoning
- Type a problem that needs working out
- Send the prompt
- Read the reasoned answer
Interactive demo
Summary
Gemini lets you choose how much effort it spends reasoning before it answers. A higher thinking level suits planning, maths and estimates where the working matters as much as the result.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open the mode picker
On the Gemini home screen, find the picker inside the prompt box that reads Gemini Auto. Click it to open the menu of modes.
Step 2
Choose High thinking level
In the menu, point at Thinking level to open its options: Low (Fast and efficient), Medium (Balanced depth) and High (Extra thorough). Click High when you want Gemini to reason in more depth.
Step 3
Send the prompt
Type a task that needs reasoning into the prompt box. For example: a team of 5 ships 3 features a week, 2 people go on leave for 2 weeks, and you want the features shipped over 6 weeks with the reasoning shown. Click Send message.
Step 4
Read the reasoned answer
Gemini replies with a worked answer. In this example it set out a baseline rate, a table splitting the weeks by team size, and a total of 15.6 features. Check each part of the working before you rely on the result.
Why this matters
You need to estimate how many features your team ships while two people are on leave, and a quick guess will not hold up in planning. A higher thinking level gives you the working, so you can check the numbers before sharing them.
Frequently asked questions
What thinking levels does Gemini offer?
The menu showed three: Low (Fast and efficient), Medium (Balanced depth) and High (Extra thorough).
Should I trust the numbers Gemini gives me?
Double-check them. Gemini warns that it is not human and can make mistakes, so review the working yourself.
Related guides
Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.
How to write effective prompts for GeminiLearn how to write a Gemini prompt with a clear role, task, context and format, then tighten the reply with a follow-up message that adds one more constraint.
How to use Gemini for researchLearn how to use Gemini for research: ask a focused question, get a table with sources, then follow up to dig deeper and verify the answer.
How to clear Gemini activity historyClear your Gemini activity history from the Gemini Apps Activity page: pick Last hour, Last day, All time or a custom range, then confirm.
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