OpenAI API Pricing
Creator of GPT series, the most widely adopted AI API platform
109 paid models · 14 free · Price range: $0.02 - $150.00 /1M
Last updated: Aug 8, 2026
About OpenAI
OpenAI pioneered the modern LLM era with the GPT series. Their API powers millions of applications worldwide, from ChatGPT to enterprise solutions. OpenAI offers models ranging from the budget-friendly GPT-4o Mini to the powerful o1 reasoning model, with the most mature API ecosystem in the industry.
Key Highlights
- Most mature and stable API ecosystem
- Widest third-party integration support
- o1/o3 reasoning models for complex tasks
- Real-time API for voice applications
- GPT-4o with native multimodal capabilities
Pricing Features
- Pay-per-token billing
- Prompt Caching (discounted)
Offers Batch API (50% discount), cached input pricing, and volume discounts for enterprise customers. Free tier available with rate limits.
API Features
Common Use Cases
- • Chatbots & Virtual Assistants
- • Content Generation
- • Code Copilots
- • Voice Applications
- • Document Analysis
OpenAI API pricing guide
Focused notes for developers comparing official pricing, API docs, token billing, and model fit.
OpenAI API pricing by model and token type
OpenAI API pricing is easiest to compare when the model, input tokens, output tokens, cached input, and batch eligibility are separated. Use the live model rows below for a model-level view, then run a representative prompt and response mix through the calculator before choosing a production route.
- Compare input and output rates separately because output-heavy workloads can change the cheapest choice.
- Check model context, capabilities, and modality support together with the token price.
- Use cached input or batch processing only when the workload pattern actually qualifies.
- Treat the table as a planning baseline and verify the official OpenAI pricing page before launch.
OpenAI pricing versus ChatGPT subscription pricing
OpenAI API pricing is usage-based and should be separated from ChatGPT consumer or workspace subscription plans. A subscription may provide access to a product, while API usage is estimated from the selected model and token mix. Keeping these intents separate prevents a plan price from being compared with a per-token API rate.
- Use this page for developer API model and token pricing.
- Do not use a ChatGPT plan price as a proxy for API usage cost.
- Compare workspace or consumer plans separately when the requirement is product access rather than API calls.
How to estimate OpenAI API cost
Start with monthly input tokens and output tokens, then account for retries, cached context, tool calls, and the model mix. A short prompt with long generated answers has a different cost profile from a document-analysis workflow with large inputs, so a representative workload is more useful than a single headline rate.
- Record input and output tokens from a small production-like sample.
- Model peak traffic and retry overhead instead of using only average daily volume.
- Compare the estimated total with lower-cost or longer-context alternatives before committing.
Related search terms
📊 OpenAI Model Comparison
Compare all models side by side. Sorted by total price (input + output).
| Model | Tier | Input /1M | Output /1M | Total /1M | Context | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text Embedding 3 Small | Budget | $0.02 | Free | $0.02 | 8k | General tasks |
| Text Embedding Ada 002 | Budget | $0.10 | Free | $0.10 | 8k | General tasks |
| gpt-oss-20b | Budget | $0.02 | $0.10 | $0.12 | 131k | Complex reasoning, math |
| Text Embedding 3 Large | Budget | $0.13 | Free | $0.13 | 8k | General tasks |
| GPT-5 Nano (batch) | Budget | $0.03 | $0.20 | $0.23 | 400k | Complex reasoning, math |
| gpt-oss-120b (exacto) | Budget | $0.04 | $0.19 | $0.23 | 131k | Complex reasoning, math |
🎯 Which OpenAI Model Should You Choose?
Quick recommendations based on your use case.
💰 OpenAI Monthly Cost Examples
Estimated monthly costs for common use cases.
| Use Case | Monthly Usage | Text Embedding 3 Small (Budget) |
GPT-5.6 Luna Pro (Flagship) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Customer Service Bot
1000 conversations/day
|
500k input 200k output |
$0.01/mo | $0.17/mo |
|
Code Assistant
200 requests/day
|
1.0M input 500k output |
$0.02/mo | $0.40/mo |
|
Data Analysis
500 analyses/day
|
2.0M input 300k output |
$0.04/mo | $0.38/mo |
⚔️ OpenAI vs Competitors
How does {brand} compare to other major AI providers?
| Brand | Model | Input /1M | Output /1M | Total /1M | Context | vs {brand} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
OpenAI
|
GPT-5.6 Luna Pro Current | $0.10 | $0.60 | $0.70 | 1.1M | — |
Anthropic
|
Claude Opus 4.5 | $5.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | 200k | 4186% more |
|
Anthropic
|
Claude Haiku 4.5 | $1.00 | $5.00 | $6.00 | 200k | 757% more |
|
Anthropic
|
Claude Sonnet 4.5 | $3.00 | $15.00 | $18.00 | 1.0M | 2471% more |
|
Anthropic
|
Claude Opus 4.1 | $15.00 | $75.00 | $90.00 | 200k | 12757% more |
|
Anthropic
|
Claude Opus 4 | $15.00 | $75.00 | $90.00 | 200k | 12757% more |
|
Anthropic
|
Claude Sonnet 4 | $3.00 | $15.00 | $18.00 | 1.0M | 2471% more |
All Models
❓ OpenAI Pricing FAQ
What is the cheapest OpenAI model?
The cheapest OpenAI model is Text Embedding 3 Small at $0.02 per 1M tokens (input + output combined).
What is the maximum context length for OpenAI models?
OpenAI models support up to 1.1M context length, allowing you to process large documents and maintain long conversations.
How do I choose between OpenAI models?
For budget projects, choose the cheapest model. For code generation, prioritize low output price. For complex reasoning, choose models with reasoning capability. Use our scenario guide above.
Does OpenAI support prompt caching?
Yes, OpenAI supports prompt caching which can significantly reduce costs for repeated prompts. Check individual model pages for caching prices.
How does OpenAI API pricing work?
OpenAI API usage is generally estimated from the selected model's input and output token rates, with features such as cached input or batch processing affecting eligible workloads. Use the live table and calculator for a workload-specific estimate, then verify the official rate before launch.
What is the difference between OpenAI API pricing and ChatGPT pricing?
OpenAI API pricing is usage-based for developer calls, while ChatGPT pricing refers to consumer or workspace product access. They are different billing intents and should not be compared as if a subscription were a fixed API token allowance.
How do I estimate OpenAI API cost?
Estimate monthly input and output tokens separately, choose the model, include retries or cached context when relevant, and run the mix through the calculator. A production-like sample is more reliable than multiplying a single request by a daily average.
Is OpenAI API key pricing separate from model usage?
An API key is an access credential; the usage estimate should be based on the selected model and the tokens or other billable units used by the API. Check the official OpenAI pricing documentation for the current service details.