OpenAI GPT-o1 API Pricing: A Comprehensive Guide

Sebastian Petrus
7 min readSep 13, 2024

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OpenAI has once again pushed the boundaries of artificial intelligence with the release of its new GPT-o1 family of models. These models, designed to excel in reasoning and complex problem-solving, represent a significant leap forward in AI capabilities. In this article, we’ll explore the pricing structure for the GPT-o1 API, compare it to other language models, and provide insights on how to leverage this powerful new tool.

Understanding GPT-o1

The GPT-o1 series introduces two main models:

  1. o1-preview: The flagship model with strong reasoning capabilities and broad world knowledge.
  2. o1-mini: A more cost-efficient version optimized for specific tasks like coding and mathematics.

These models are designed to “think before they speak,” utilizing an internal reasoning process to tackle complex problems more effectively than their predecessors.

GPT-o1 API Pricing

OpenAI has introduced a new pricing structure for the GPT-o1 models, reflecting their advanced capabilities and the computational resources required to run them.

o1-preview Pricing

The o1-preview model, being the more powerful of the two, comes with a higher price tag:

  • Input tokens: $15 per 1 million tokens
  • Output tokens: $60 per 1 million tokens

This pricing structure represents a significant increase compared to previous models, with input costs being 3 times higher and output costs 4 times higher than GPT-4o.

o1-mini Pricing

For developers looking for a more cost-effective solution, o1-mini offers an attractive alternative:

  • Input tokens: $0.15 per 1 million tokens
  • Output tokens: $0.60 per 1 million tokens

The o1-mini model is priced at approximately 80% less than o1-preview, making it an excellent choice for applications that require strong reasoning capabilities in specific domains without the need for broad world knowledge.

Key Differences

  1. Capabilities: GPT-4 is the most advanced model, offering superior performance in complex reasoning, task completion, and creative endeavors. GPT-3.5-Turbo, while less capable, is still highly effective for a wide range of applications.
  2. Context Length: The “-32k” and “-16k” variants offer extended context, allowing for longer inputs and more comprehensive understanding of complex documents or conversations.
  3. Pricing: GPT-4 models are significantly more expensive, reflecting their advanced capabilities. GPT-3.5-Turbo models are much more cost-effective for general use cases.
  4. Speed: Generally, the GPT-3.5-Turbo models are faster in terms of token generation, making them suitable for applications requiring quick responses.

Usage Considerations

  • For complex tasks requiring advanced reasoning or specialized knowledge, GPT-4 is the recommended choice.
  • For general-purpose applications, chatbots, or where cost is a significant factor, GPT-3.5-Turbo often provides an excellent balance of capability and affordability.
  • When dealing with long documents or conversations, the extended context models (32k or 16k) can be particularly useful.

It’s important to note that OpenAI continuously works on improving their models, and new versions or entirely new models may be released in the future. Always refer to the official OpenAI documentation for the most up-to-date and accurate information on model capabilities, pricing, and availability.

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Comparison to Other LLMs

To put these prices into perspective, let’s compare them to other popular language models:

GPT-4o

  • Input tokens: $5 per 1 million tokens
  • Output tokens: $15 per 1 million tokens

GPT-3.5 Turbo

  • Input tokens: $0.0015 per 1 million tokens
  • Output tokens: $0.002 per 1 million tokens

Claude 2 (Anthropic)

  • Input tokens: $11.02 per 1 million tokens
  • Output tokens: $32.68 per 1 million tokens

As we can see, the GPT-o1 models, particularly o1-preview, are priced at a premium compared to most existing models. This reflects their advanced capabilities and the significant computational resources required to run them.

Why the Higher Price?

The increased pricing for GPT-o1 models can be attributed to several factors:

  1. Advanced Reasoning: These models employ sophisticated reasoning techniques, requiring more computational power.
  2. Specialized Training: The models have undergone extensive training in complex problem-solving, particularly in STEM fields.
  3. Improved Accuracy: The higher price reflects the models’ ability to provide more accurate and reliable outputs, especially for complex tasks.
  4. Novel Architecture: The underlying architecture of GPT-o1 models likely incorporates new techniques that are more resource-intensive.

When to Use GPT-o1 Models

Given the higher pricing, it’s essential to understand when GPT-o1 models are most appropriate:

  1. Complex Problem Solving: For tasks requiring multi-step reasoning or intricate logic.
  2. Scientific and Mathematical Applications: Ideal for research, data analysis, and advanced calculations.
  3. Advanced Coding Tasks: When you need assistance with complex algorithms or system design.
  4. High-Stakes Decision Making: In scenarios where accuracy is crucial and the cost is justified by the value of the output.

Cost-Effective Strategies

To make the most of GPT-o1 while managing costs, consider the following strategies:

  1. Use o1-mini for Specialized Tasks: For coding and mathematical problems, o1-mini offers similar performance to o1-preview at a fraction of the cost.
  2. Hybrid Approach: Use GPT-4o or GPT-3.5 Turbo for general tasks and reserve GPT-o1 for specific, complex problems.
  3. Optimize Prompts: Craft precise prompts to minimize token usage and get to the core of your question quickly.
  4. Batch Processing: When possible, batch similar queries to reduce the number of API calls.

Making an API Call to GPT-o1

To use the GPT-o1 models via the OpenAI API, you’ll need to update your code to specify the new model names. Here’s a basic example of how to make an API call using Python:

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI()
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="o1-preview", # or "o1-mini" for the smaller model
messages=[
{"role": "user", "content": "Solve this complex physics problem: [Your problem here]"}
]
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)

Key points to remember:

  • Replace “o1-preview” with “o1-mini” if you want to use the more cost-effective model.
  • The API structure is similar to other OpenAI models, making migration relatively straightforward.
  • Be prepared for potentially longer response times, especially with complex queries.

Limitations and Considerations

While GPT-o1 models offer impressive capabilities, it’s important to be aware of their current limitations:

  1. No Image Processing: Unlike GPT-4o, the o1 models currently don’t support image inputs.
  2. Limited Multimodal Capabilities: Features like web browsing or file analysis are not yet available.
  3. Potential for Slower Responses: The advanced reasoning process can lead to longer generation times.
  4. Beta Status: As these models are in beta, some features and parameters may be limited or subject to change.

The Future of AI Reasoning

The introduction of GPT-o1 models marks a significant milestone in the development of AI that can tackle complex, multi-step problems. As these models evolve, we can expect:

  1. Improved Efficiency: Future iterations may offer similar capabilities at lower costs.
  2. Expanded Applications: New use cases in fields like scientific research, engineering, and advanced analytics.
  3. Integration with Other AI Systems: Combining reasoning capabilities with other AI technologies for more comprehensive solutions.
  4. Ethical Considerations: As these models become more powerful, discussions around their responsible use will become increasingly important.

Conclusion

The GPT-o1 family of models represents a exciting advancement in AI technology, offering unprecedented reasoning capabilities. While the pricing reflects the advanced nature of these models, the potential benefits for complex problem-solving tasks are substantial. By understanding when and how to use these models effectively, developers and organizations can leverage GPT-o1 to tackle challenges that were previously out of reach for AI systems.As with any new technology, it’s crucial to approach GPT-o1 with a clear understanding of its strengths, limitations, and cost implications. By doing so, you can harness the power of these advanced models to drive innovation and solve complex problems in your field.

Experience GPT-o1 Today

While GPT-o1 is available through OpenAI’s API for high-tier users and ChatGPT Plus subscribers, there’s an exciting alternative for those eager to explore this technology without a subscription. Anakin AI offers access to GPT-o1 capabilities, allowing you to experience the power of advanced AI reasoning firsthand.By using Anakin AI, you can dive into the world of GPT-o1 without the need for a ChatGPT subscription or high-tier API access. This provides an excellent opportunity to test and integrate these cutting-edge AI capabilities into your projects or workflows. Whether you’re a developer, researcher, or simply an AI enthusiast, Anakin AI offers a gateway to explore the potential of GPT-o1 and its transformative impact on problem-solving and reasoning tasks.Don’t miss out on the chance to be at the forefront of AI innovation. Visit Anakin AI today and start leveraging the power of GPT-o1 in your work!

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Sebastian Petrus
Sebastian Petrus

Written by Sebastian Petrus

Asist Prof @U of Waterloo, AI/ML, e/acc

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