OpenAI remains the most widely-used LLM provider in 2026. This guide covers all current pricing, model capabilities, and optimization strategies.
OpenAI Pricing Overview (January 2026)
GPT-5 Series
| Model | Input/1M | Output/1M | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.2 | $1.75 | $14.00 | 128K |
| GPT-5.1 | $1.25 | $10.00 | 128K |
| GPT-5-mini | $0.30 | $1.00 | 128K |
GPT-4 Series
| Model | Input/1M | Output/1M | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-4.1 | $2.00 | $8.00 | 1M |
| GPT-4.1-mini | $0.40 | $1.60 | 1M |
| GPT-4.1-nano | $0.10 | $0.40 | 1M |
| GPT-4o | $2.50 | $10.00 | 128K |
| GPT-4o-mini | $0.15 | $0.60 | 128K |
o-Series (Reasoning)
| Model | Input/1M | Output/1M | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| o3 | $10.00 | $40.00 | Complex reasoning |
| o3-mini | $1.10 | $4.40 | Efficient reasoning |
| o4-mini | $1.10 | $4.40 | Latest efficient |
| o1 | $15.00 | $60.00 | Premium reasoning |
| o1-pro | $150.00 | $600.00 | Extended compute |
Which Model Should You Choose?
GPT-5.2
Use when: You need the best quality for customer-facing features, complex content generation, or nuanced understanding.
Skip when: Simple classification, extraction, or high-volume low-complexity tasks.
GPT-5-mini
Use when: High volume, simple tasks, chatbots, classification, data extraction.
Skip when: Complex reasoning, creative writing, or tasks requiring deep understanding.
o3 vs o3-mini
o3: For the hardest problems - math olympiad level, complex coding, scientific reasoning.
o3-mini: For most reasoning tasks - 90% of the capability at 11% of the cost.
Cost Optimization for OpenAI
- Use GPT-5-mini by default - upgrade only when needed
- Enable prompt caching - saves 50%+ on repeated context
- Set max_tokens - don't leave unlimited
- Use Batch API - 50% discount for async workloads
- Implement model routing - match model to task complexity
Track Your OpenAI Costs
See exactly where your OpenAI budget goes. Feature-level attribution, anomaly alerts, optimization recommendations.
Start Free