LLM Token & Cost Calculator
Estimate token usage and API costs for popular LLMs
Typical responses: 100-500 for chat, 500-2000 for content generation
Enter a prompt above to see cost estimates
Note on Token Estimation
Token count is estimated at ~4 characters per token, which varies by language and content. For precise token counts, use the model's native tokenizer. Prices shown are for API usage and may change. Always check the provider's latest pricing.
Why Track LLM Costs?
Budget Control
LLM API costs can add up quickly. By estimating token usage before making API calls, you can budget effectively and choose the most cost-effective model for each task.
Model Selection
Compare costs across providers and models. A cheaper model like GPT-4o Mini may suffice for simple tasks, saving 95%+ compared to flagship models.
Token Awareness
Understanding token counts helps you optimize prompts — shorter, well-structured prompts reduce costs and improve response quality.
Production Scaling
For production applications, accurate cost estimation is essential. Use this tool to forecast API expenses at scale before committing to a model provider.
Understanding Token Pricing
LLM providers charge per token — roughly 4 characters of English text. Both input (your prompt) and output (the model's response) are billed. Pricing varies significantly: flagship models like GPT-4o or Claude 3.5 Sonnet cost 10-50x more than efficient alternatives like GPT-4o Mini or Gemini 1.5 Flash.
For production applications, consider factors like context window size, latency requirements, and output quality needs when choosing a model. This calculator helps you find the optimal balance between cost and capability.