Grok 3 vs Grok 3 Mini

Compare xAI and xAI AI models

xAI

Grok 3

xAI

Grok 3 Mini

Try xAI →

Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)

Grok 3

Per Request:$0.0105

Daily:$1.05

Monthly:$31.50

Yearly:$383.25

Grok 3 Mini

Per Request:$0.000550

Daily:$0.055

Monthly:$1.65

Yearly:$20.075

Cost Differences

$0.009950

Per Request

$0.995

Daily

$29.85

Monthly

$363.175

Yearly

Grok 3 Mini costs less than Grok 3

Feature Comparison

Feature	Grok 3	Grok 3 Mini
Provider	xAI	xAI
Input Price	$3.00/1M tokens	$0.30/1M tokens
Output Price	$15.00/1M tokens	$0.50/1M tokens
Context Window	131,072 tokens	128,000 tokens
Max Output	131,072 tokens	131,072 tokens
Category	flagship	efficient
Capabilities	textvisionreasoningcode	textreasoningcode
Release Date	2/17/2025	2/17/2025

Grok 3 vs Grok 3 Mini: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Grok 3 and Grok 3 Mini depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Grok 3 Mini is the more affordable option at $0.30/1M input tokens — 90% cheaper than Grok 3. Meanwhile, Grok 3 offers a significantly larger context window at 131,072 tokens vs 128,000 for Grok 3 Mini.

These models target different tiers: Grok 3 is a flagship model while Grok 3 Mini is efficient. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Grok 3 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while Grok 3 Mini offers better value for routine operations.

Output costs matter too. Grok 3 charges $15.00/1M output tokens vs $0.50 for Grok 3 Mini. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Grok 3 Mini has the edge here at $0.50/1M output tokens.

Multimodal capabilities: Grok 3 supports vision (image inputs) while Grok 3 Mini is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.

Best Use Cases

Choose Grok 3 when:

• You need a larger context window (131,072 tokens)
• You need more capabilities (vision)
• You're already using xAI's API ecosystem

Choose Grok 3 Mini when:

• Budget is a primary concern
• You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
• You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads

Try Different Scenarios

Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns

Grok 3 (xAI)

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

Select a provider and model to see costs

Grok 3 Mini (xAI)

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

Select a provider and model to see costs

Start using Grok 3 today

Start using Grok 3 Mini today

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Grok 3 or Grok 3 Mini?▼

Grok 3 Mini is cheaper for input tokens at $0.30 per million tokens vs $3.00 for Grok 3 — that's 90% savings on input costs.

What is the context window difference between Grok 3 and Grok 3 Mini?▼

Grok 3 supports 131,072 tokens while Grok 3 Mini supports 128,000 tokens — a difference of 3,072 tokens in favor of Grok 3.

Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?▼

Both models support text, code, reasoning. For ai agent / agentic workflows, Grok 3 Mini is the lower-cost option, while Grok 3 offers a larger context window (131,072 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose Grok 3 Mini for budget sensitivity or Grok 3 for longer context tasks.

Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼

At 100 requests/day with 1,000 input and 500 output tokens each, Grok 3 costs about $31.50/month and Grok 3 Mini costs about $1.65/month. Overall, Grok 3 Mini has lower combined input + output rates ($0.30 in, $0.50 out) vs Grok 3.