Input cost
Input cost is based on the text you send to the model, including system prompts, user messages, retrieved context, examples, code, and structured data.
LLM API cost planning
Token Cost Calculator
Turn a token count into estimated LLM API cost before choosing a model or shipping a prompt-heavy workflow.
Short answer
A token cost calculator converts token counts into estimated API spend. After counting tokens from your prompt, use model input and output rates to estimate how much a request may cost. This helps teams compare providers, set product limits, size a batch job, or decide whether a prompt should be shortened before it reaches a paid model.
Formula
Request cost = input tokens / 1,000,000 x input price + output tokens / 1,000,000 x output price. Cached-input rates apply only when the provider discounts reused prompt content.
Use exact token counts for final estimates. Word count is useful for planning, but token count is what context windows and API billing depend on.
Common examples
- Estimate one support-ticket summarization request.
- Compare monthly cost for a prompt used thousands of times.
- Check whether prompt caching would materially reduce spend.
Output cost
Output cost depends on how long the model response is. If you expect long answers, budget output tokens separately instead of assuming the prompt count is the whole cost.
Cached input
Some providers discount repeated prompt prefixes. Use cached-input pricing only when your request pattern actually reuses stable content in the way the provider supports.
Token Cost Calculator FAQ
What is the simplest token cost formula?
Divide tokens by 1,000,000 and multiply by the provider's price per 1M tokens. Add input and output estimates for a full request.
Why can output cost be higher than input cost?
Many LLM providers price generated output tokens higher than input tokens because generation uses more compute.
Is cached-input pricing always available?
No. Cached-input discounts depend on provider rules and request patterns. Always check the official pricing page for production billing.
Use the calculator
The main calculator at https://token-calculator.net/ is the fastest way to measure your exact text, compare model cost, and visualize token-sized text pieces in the browser.