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GPT-5 nano vs GPT-5.2

Detailed pricing comparison and cost analysis.

Updated August 2026

Cost Simulator

GPT-5 nano Cost
$0.13
GPT-5.2 Cost
$4.55
GPT-5 nano is 97% cheaper
FeatureGPT-5 nanoGPT-5.2
ProviderOpenAIOpenAI
Input Price (1M)$0.05$1.75
Output Price (1M)$0.40$14.00
Context Window400,000128,000

Verdict

GPT-5 nano costs $0.05 per 1M input tokens and $0.40 per 1M output tokens. GPT-5.2 costs $1.75 per 1M input tokens and $14.00 per 1M output tokens. GPT-5 nano is 97% cheaper on input tokens than GPT-5.2. For output tokens, GPT-5 nano is the more affordable option at $0.40/1M vs $14.00.

On context window, GPT-5 nano supports 400,000 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-5 nano

  • ✓ You need the lowest input token cost ($ 0.05/1M)
  • ✓ Your workload is output-heavy — GPT-5 nano generates text cheaper
  • ✓ You need a larger context window (400,000 tokens)
  • ✓ You are already integrated with OpenAI

When to choose GPT-5.2

  • ✓ 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-5 nano cheaper than GPT-5.2?

GPT-5 nano is cheaper on input tokens at $0.05/1M vs $1.75/1M for GPT-5.2 — a 97% saving.

What is the context window of GPT-5 nano vs GPT-5.2?

GPT-5 nano has a 400,000-token context window. GPT-5.2 has a 128,000-token context window. GPT-5 nano supports the larger context, suitable for longer documents and agentic workflows.

Which model is better: GPT-5 nano or GPT-5.2?

The best choice depends on your use case. For cost efficiency on input tokens, GPT-5 nano is the cheaper option. For maximum context length, GPT-5 nano supports 400,000 tokens. Use the comparison table above to find the right fit for your workload.