The AI Token Cost Estimator calculates the cost of language-model usage from input tokens, output tokens, request volume, and the rates charged per one million tokens. It is useful when a team wants a provider-neutral estimate before choosing a model or when it needs to translate observed token counts into a monthly budget.
Because model prices change and cached, batch, or discounted traffic may be billed differently, the calculator keeps token rates editable rather than assuming a fixed price. The result separates input and output spend, shows the average cost per request, and makes it easier to compare prompt-heavy and response-heavy workloads.
Add the average input and output token counts for one request.
Use the number of calls expected during the period you want to budget.
Copy the applicable input and output prices per one million tokens from your provider or contract.
Compare total cost, the input/output split, total tokens, and cost per request.
Where:
Assumptions: Each request uses the entered average token counts. Taxes, retries, cache discounts, and other fees are excluded unless reflected in the rates.
The main result is the estimated charge for the entered request volume and token rates.
Use measured token counts when possible; early estimates based on character counts can differ from actual tokenizer output.
Given: 1,200 input tokens, 400 output tokens, 10,000 requests, a $1.50 input rate, and a $6.00 output rate.
Calculation: Input cost = 12,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000 × $1.50 = $18.00. Output cost = 4,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000 × $6.00 = $24.00.
Result: Total estimated cost = $42.00, or $0.0042 per request.
The output side costs more even though it uses fewer tokens because its unit rate is higher.
Yes. Include system, developer, user, tool, and other billed input tokens in the average input count.
Enter the same rate in both fields. The calculator will still show the separate cost contribution of each token direction.
Not separately. Use a blended effective input rate or calculate cached and uncached traffic in separate runs.
Yes. Set the request count to the volume for that period; the formulas do not assume a particular time unit.
Many services price generated tokens above input tokens. A smaller output volume can therefore contribute a larger share of spend.