GPT-5.6 Terra vs GPT-5 nano
Pricing verdict: GPT-5.6 Terra vs GPT-5 nano: GPT-5 nano is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.05/M vs $2.50/M input tokens), while GPT-5.6 Terra is better for long-context tasks (1,050,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose GPT-5 nano for lower token spend and choose GPT-5.6 Terra when your workload needs longer context.
Compare API pricing, input and output token costs, context windows, and monthly estimates on one page so you can pick the right model fast.
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
GPT-5.6 Terra
GPT-5 nano
Cost Differences
GPT-5 nano costs less than GPT-5.6 Terra
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: GPT-5 nano. At the default workload, GPT-5 nano saves about $29.25/month ($355.875/year) versus GPT-5.6 Terra.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-5.6 Terra | GPT-5 nano |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $2.50/1M tokens | $0.05/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $15.00/1M tokens | $0.40/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 1,050,000 tokens | 128,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 128,000 tokens | 8,192 tokens |
| Category | balanced | efficient |
| Capabilities | textvisioncodereasoning | text |
| Release Date | 6/26/2026 | 8/7/2025 |
GPT-5.6 Terra vs GPT-5 nano: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-5.6 Terra 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 — 98% cheaper than GPT-5.6 Terra. Meanwhile, GPT-5.6 Terra offers a significantly larger context window at 1,050,000 tokens vs 128,000 for GPT-5 nano.
These models target different tiers: GPT-5.6 Terra is a balanced model while GPT-5 nano is efficient. This means they're optimized for different workloads. GPT-5 nano targets more demanding workloads, while GPT-5.6 Terra provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.
Output costs matter too. GPT-5.6 Terra charges $15.00/1M 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-5.6 Terra 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-5.6 Terra 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-5.6 Terra
- • Input pricing: $2.50/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $15.00/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-5.6 Terra
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
GPT-5.6 Terra (OpenAI)
GPT-5 nano (OpenAI)
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Which is cheaper, GPT-5.6 Terra or GPT-5 nano?▼
What is the context window difference between GPT-5.6 Terra and GPT-5 nano?▼
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