AI Token Counter
Paste your text to instantly estimate token count and calculate API costs across 50+ AI models. Free, no signup required.
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Cost Estimation
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How Token Estimation Works
Tokens are the basic units AI models use to process text. On average, 1 token ≈ 4 characters in English, or about ¾ of a word.
This tool provides a quick estimate. Actual token counts vary by model tokenizer — code, non-English text, and special characters may use more tokens per character.
For exact pricing across all models, check our full pricing comparison or use the model comparison tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AI token?
A token is the basic unit of text that AI models process. For English text, 1 token is roughly 4 characters or about ¾ of a word. The word "hamburger" is 3 tokens, while "I" is 1 token.
How accurate is this token counter?
This tool uses the standard ~4 characters per token estimate, which is accurate for typical English text. Actual token counts vary slightly by model tokenizer. Code, non-English text, and special characters may use more tokens.
Why do input and output tokens have different prices?
AI providers charge differently for input (your prompt) and output (the model's response) because generating output requires more computation. Output tokens are typically 2-5x more expensive than input tokens.
How can I reduce my token usage?
Use concise prompts, cache common system messages, batch requests when possible, and choose efficient models for simpler tasks. Check our cost optimization guide for more tips.