Can I Run Qwen 3 8B on Apple M2 Pro?
Written by Jakub Rusinowski · Last updated September 29, 2026
Yes. Qwen 3 8B needs 7 GB at 8K context (5 GB weights + 2 GB KV cache/overhead) at Q4_K_M and the Apple M2 Pro has 24 GB usable, leaving about 17 GB of headroom, at roughly 19 tok/s (estimated) with room for up to 64K of context.
See what else this hardware can run →
The numbers
| Model | Qwen 3 8B |
| Parameters | 8B |
| Quantization | Q4_K_M |
| VRAM needed (8K context) | 7 GB |
| Apple M2 Pro usable memory | 24 GB |
| Verdict | Runs |
| Max context | 64K |
| Estimated speed | ~19 tok/s |
Qwen 3 8B on the Apple M2 Pro: VRAM by quantization
| Quant | VRAM needed | Fits 32 GB? | Max context | Whole PC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F16 | 18.4 GB | ✓ Yes | 32K | — |
| Q8_0 | 10.7 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | Build for this |
| Q6_K | 8.7 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q5_K_M | 7.8 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q4_K_M | 7 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | Build for this |
| Q3_K_M | 5.5 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
| Q2_K | 4.7 GB | ✓ Yes | 64K | — |
Assumes an 8K-token context with an f16 KV cache. A longer window needs more; a quantized KV cache needs less. “Max context” is the largest window that still fits in 32 GB of unified memory. Figures are estimates from parameter count, quantization and memory bandwidth — the analyzer lets you tune KV-cache quant and context.
Context costs VRAM too. At Q4_K_M on the Apple M2 Pro: 8K 7 GB · 32K 10.6 GB · 125K 24.6 GB ✗. Past 125K it no longer fits 32 GB — a q8_0 KV cache buys roughly half of that back, which the calculator will price for you.
What to do next
Nothing to change — run it at Q4_K_M. If you want more capability, check whether the next size up also fits.
No compatible GPU? Qwen 3 8B on 8 GB of system RAM, CPU only: runs.
Running Qwen 3 8B on this card:
Qwen 3 8B needs ~7 GB but this GPU has 32 GB. Rent a RTX 4090 (24 GB)-class GPU by the hour instead of buying one:
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Cloud rates verified 2026-07 — estimates, and marketplace prices vary. Buying price is GPU MSRP only, not a full PC.
Other Qwen 3 sizes on the Apple M2 Pro
- Qwen 3 235B-A22B (MoE) — does not fit (144.3 GB)
- Qwen 3 32B — runs (22.8 GB)
- Qwen 3 30B-A3B (MoE) — runs (20 GB)
- Qwen 3 14B — runs (11.1 GB)
Qwen 3 8B on nearby hardware
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (24 GB) — runs
- Apple M3 Pro (36 GB) — runs
All Qwen 3 sizes on the Apple M2 Pro | Qwen 3 8B model page | Apple M2 Pro GPU page | VRAM calculator | Check your hardware