GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5 nano
GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5 nano: GPT-5 nano is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.05/M vs $5.00/M input tokens), while GPT-5.5 is better for long-context tasks (1,050,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose GPT-5 nano for lower token spend and choose GPT-5.5 when your workload needs longer context.
Common pricing searches covered on this page: GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5 nano • GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5 nano pricing • GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5 nano API pricing and 5 5 vs 5 nano pricing.
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
GPT-5.5
GPT-5 nano
Cost Differences
GPT-5 nano costs less than GPT-5.5
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: GPT-5 nano. At the default workload, GPT-5 nano saves about $59.25/month ($720.875/year) versus GPT-5.5.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-5.5 | GPT-5 nano |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $5.00/1M tokens | $0.05/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $30.00/1M tokens | $0.40/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 1,050,000 tokens | 128,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 128,000 tokens | 8,192 tokens |
| Category | flagship | efficient |
| Capabilities | textvisioncodereasoning | text |
| Release Date | 4/24/2026 | 8/7/2025 |
GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5 nano: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-5.5 and GPT-5 nano depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-5 nano is the more affordable option at $0.05/1M input tokens — 99% cheaper than GPT-5.5. Meanwhile, GPT-5.5 offers a significantly larger context window at 1,050,000 tokens vs 128,000 for GPT-5 nano.
These models target different tiers: GPT-5.5 is a flagship model while GPT-5 nano is efficient. This means they're optimized for different workloads. GPT-5.5 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while GPT-5 nano offers better value for routine operations.
Output costs matter too. GPT-5.5 charges $30.00/1M output tokens vs $0.40 for GPT-5 nano. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-5 nano has the edge here at $0.40/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: GPT-5.5 supports vision (image inputs) while GPT-5 nano is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose GPT-5.5 when:
- • You need a larger context window (1,050,000 tokens)
- • You need more capabilities (vision, code, reasoning)
- • You need longer outputs (up to 128,000 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Choose GPT-5 nano when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
GPT-5.5
- • Input pricing: $5.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $30.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 1,050,000 tokens
- • Max output: 128,000 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than GPT-5 nano
- • Higher output cost than GPT-5 nano
GPT-5 nano
- • Input pricing: $0.05/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $0.40/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 8,192 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than GPT-5.5
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
GPT-5.5 (OpenAI)
GPT-5 nano (OpenAI)
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