OpenAI o-series Calculator
Compare reasoning model costs: o1, o1-mini, o3, o3-mini
OpenAI o-series Reasoning Models
Specialized models for complex reasoning, math, science, and coding problems
Usage Configuration
Reasoning models generate more output tokens
o3-mini
Standard ReasoningEfficient reasoning for everyday tasks
Model Comparison
| Model | Type | Per Request | Monthly Cost | vs Selected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
o1 | Advanced Reasoning | $0.07500 | $225.00 | +$208.50 |
o1-mini | Standard Reasoning | $0.01500 | $45.00 | +$28.50 |
o3 | Advanced Reasoning | $0.05000 | $150.00 | +$133.50 |
o3-miniSelected | Standard Reasoning | $0.00550 | $16.50 | - |
GPT-4o | Standard | $0.01250 | $37.50 | +$21.00 |
GPT-4o-mini | Standard | $0.00075 | $2.25 | -$14.25 |
About OpenAI o-series Models:
- o-series models are optimized for complex reasoning and chain-of-thought problems
- They excel at math, science, coding challenges, and multi-step reasoning
- Reasoning models generate more output tokens (showing their work)
- o3-mini offers the best cost/performance ratio for most reasoning tasks
- Use GPT-4o for general tasks where advanced reasoning isn't needed
- Prices current as of January 2025 - check OpenAI for latest
How to Use the OpenAI o-series Calculator
Choose Your o-series Model
Select from o1 (flagship reasoning), o1-mini (cost-efficient), o3 (latest), or o3-mini (best value). Each model is optimized for complex reasoning, math, and coding tasks.
Estimate Your Token Usage
Enter input tokens (your prompts and context) and output tokens (model responses). Note that reasoning models generate significantly more output tokens as they show their thinking process.
Set Daily Request Volume
Specify your expected daily API calls. Reasoning models are typically used for complex tasks, so volumes are often lower but costs per request are higher than standard models.
Compare with Standard Models
View how o-series costs compare to GPT-4o and other models. Use o-series for problems requiring step-by-step reasoning; use GPT-4o for general tasks where speed and cost matter more.
Pro tip: Your data is processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy.
Understanding OpenAI o-series Models
OpenAI's o-series models represent a new approach to AI: reasoning models that think through problems step by step before providing answers. Unlike traditional language models, o-series models are optimized for complex problem-solving, making them ideal for math, science, and coding challenges.
O-series Model Comparison
o1 ($15/$60 per 1M tokens) is the original flagship reasoning model. It excels at complex multi-step problems but comes at a premium price. Best for research, advanced mathematics, and problems requiring deep chain-of-thought reasoning.
o3 ($10/$40 per 1M tokens) is the latest advancement, offering improved benchmark performance at a slightly lower price than o1. It represents the cutting edge of reasoning model technology.
o3-mini ($1.10/$4.40 per 1M tokens) is the sweet spot for most applications. It delivers strong reasoning capabilities at a fraction of the cost, making advanced reasoning accessible for production use.
When to Use Reasoning Models
- Complex math problems: Multi-step calculations, proofs, equations
- Code debugging: Finding and fixing complex bugs
- Scientific analysis: Research questions requiring logical reasoning
- Strategy problems: Game theory, optimization, planning
- Educational tools: Explaining step-by-step solutions
Reasoning vs Standard Models
O-series models differ from GPT-4o in how they process requests. They generate significantly more output tokens because they "show their work" - explaining each step of their reasoning. This means higher costs per request but much better accuracy on complex problems.
For simple tasks like content generation, conversation, or basic Q&A, GPT-4o or GPT-4o-mini remains more cost-effective. Reserve reasoning models for problems where accuracy and logical consistency matter more than speed and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are OpenAI o-series models?
OpenAI o-series models (o1, o3, etc.) are reasoning models designed for complex problem-solving. They excel at math, science, coding challenges, and multi-step reasoning tasks that require thinking through problems step by step.
How much does OpenAI o1 cost?
OpenAI o1 costs $15 per million input tokens and $60 per million output tokens. The o1-mini variant is more affordable at $3/$12 per million tokens. These are premium prices for advanced reasoning capabilities.
What is the difference between o1 and o3?
o3 is OpenAI's newer reasoning model with improved performance on benchmarks. o3-mini offers better cost efficiency at $1.10/$4.40 per million tokens while maintaining strong reasoning capabilities, making it ideal for most applications.
Should I use o-series or GPT-4o?
Use o-series models for complex reasoning, math problems, and coding challenges that require step-by-step thinking. Use GPT-4o for general tasks, conversation, and content generation where speed and cost are priorities over deep reasoning.
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