GPT-5 vs GPT-5 Mini
Complete pricing and performance comparison between OpenAI's GPT-5 and OpenAI's GPT-5 Mini.
Quick Verdict
Cheaper
GPT-5 Mini
5.0x cheaper input, 5.0x cheaper output
Larger Context
GPT-5
400K vs 400K
Higher Quality
GPT-5
Score: 45 vs 41
Faster
GPT-5 Mini
82 vs 60 tok/s
Pricing Comparison
| Spec | GPT-5 | GPT-5 Mini | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | |
| Input / 1M tokens | $1.25 | $0.25 | GPT-5 Mini is 80% more expensive |
| Output / 1M tokens | $10 | $2 | GPT-5 Mini is 80% more expensive |
| Context Window | 400K | 400K | Same |
| Max Output | 16K | 16K |
Performance Benchmarks
| Metric | GPT-5 | GPT-5 Mini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Index | 45 | 41 | GPT-5 |
| Output Speed | 60 tok/s | 82 tok/s | GPT-5 Mini |
| Time to First Token | 117.69s | 99.18s | GPT-5 Mini |
| Value (Quality/$) | 35.7 | 164.8 | Higher = better value |
Benchmark data from Artificial Analysis. Quality Index is a composite score across reasoning, coding, and knowledge tasks.
Cost at Scale
Estimated cost at different usage levels (3:1 input-to-output token ratio, typical for chat).
| Usage | GPT-5 | GPT-5 Mini | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
Single request 1K in / 300 out | $0.0042 | $0.0008 | GPT-5 Mini saves $0.0034 |
10 requests 10K in / 3K out | $0.042 | $0.0085 | GPT-5 Mini saves $0.034 |
100 requests 100K in / 30K out | $0.425 | $0.085 | GPT-5 Mini saves $0.340 |
1,000 requests 1M in / 300K out | $4.25 | $0.850 | GPT-5 Mini saves $3.40 |
10,000 requests 10M in / 3M out | $42.50 | $8.50 | GPT-5 Mini saves $34.00 |
1M requests/mo 1B in / 300M out | $4250.00 | $850.00 | GPT-5 Mini saves $3400.00 |
Pros & Cons
GPT-5 Strengths
- +Higher quality score (45 vs 41)
GPT-5 Mini Strengths
- +Cheaper input tokens
- +Cheaper output tokens
- +Faster output (82 vs 60 tok/s)
- +Lower latency (faster first token)
When to Use Each Model
Choose GPT-5 for
- →Tasks requiring maximum accuracy and reasoning
Choose GPT-5 Mini for
- →Budget-conscious projects where cost is the primary factor
- →Real-time applications, chat, or autocomplete
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GPT-5 or GPT-5 Mini?
For input tokens, GPT-5 Mini is 5.0x cheaper at $0.25/1M tokens. For output tokens, GPT-5 Mini is 5.0x cheaper at $2/1M tokens. At typical usage (1M input + 300K output), GPT-5 costs $4.25 vs GPT-5 Mini at $0.850.
What's the context window difference?
GPT-5 supports 400K context (400,000 tokens), while GPT-5 Mini supports 400K (400,000 tokens). GPT-5 Mini can handle 1x more context in a single request.
Which model has better benchmarks?
Quality Index: GPT-5 scores 45 vs GPT-5 Mini at 41. Speed: GPT-5 generates 60 tok/s vs GPT-5 Mini at 82 tok/s. Time to first token: GPT-5 at 117.69s vs GPT-5 Mini at 99.18s.
When should I choose GPT-5 over GPT-5 Mini?
Choose GPT-5 when you need: Higher quality score (45 vs 41). Choose GPT-5 Mini when you need: Cheaper input tokens, Cheaper output tokens, Faster output (82 vs 60 tok/s), Lower latency (faster first token).
How much would 10,000 API requests cost?
At 1K input + 300 output tokens per request (typical chat): GPT-5 = $42.50, GPT-5 Mini = $8.50. At 10K input + 1K output per request (longer conversations): GPT-5 = $225.00, GPT-5 Mini = $45.00.