Ask

GPT-4o mini vs GPT-4o

Detailed pricing comparison and cost analysis.

Updated September 2026

Cost Simulator

GPT-4o mini Cost
$0.27
GPT-4o Cost
$4.50
GPT-4o mini is 94% cheaper
FeatureGPT-4o miniGPT-4o
ProviderOpenAIOpenAI
Input Price (1M)$0.15$2.50
Output Price (1M)$0.60$10.00
Context Window128,000128,000

Verdict

GPT-4o mini costs $0.15 per 1M input tokens and $0.60 per 1M output tokens. GPT-4o costs $2.50 per 1M input tokens and $10.00 per 1M output tokens. GPT-4o mini is 94% cheaper on input tokens than GPT-4o. For output tokens, GPT-4o mini is the more affordable option at $0.60/1M vs $10.00.

On context window, GPT-4o mini supports 128,000 tokens — meaning it can fit more conversation history, documents, or code in a single request. This matters for RAG pipelines, long document analysis, and agentic workflows where context builds up over many turns.

When to choose GPT-4o mini

  • ✓ You need the lowest input token cost ($ 0.15/1M)
  • ✓ Your workload is output-heavy — GPT-4o mini generates text cheaper
  • ✓ You are already integrated with OpenAI

When to choose GPT-4o

  • ✓ You are already integrated with OpenAI

Use the calculator above to simulate your specific workload and find the exact break-even point. For most applications, the cheapest model is the one that minimises your total monthly bill given your input-to-output token ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GPT-4o mini cheaper than GPT-4o?

GPT-4o mini is cheaper on input tokens at $0.15/1M vs $2.50/1M for GPT-4o — a 94% saving.

What is the context window of GPT-4o mini vs GPT-4o?

GPT-4o mini has a 128,000-token context window. GPT-4o has a 128,000-token context window. GPT-4o mini supports the larger context, suitable for longer documents and agentic workflows.

Which model is better: GPT-4o mini or GPT-4o?

The best choice depends on your use case. For cost efficiency on input tokens, GPT-4o mini is the cheaper option. For maximum context length, GPT-4o mini supports 128,000 tokens. Use the comparison table above to find the right fit for your workload.