AI model comparison

GPT-5.1 Chat vs GPT-5 Nano

Compare pricing, context limits, supported inputs and deployment options to choose a model for your workflow.

GPT-5.1 Chat from OpenAI lists 128K context, 16.38K maximum output, $1.25 input per 1M tokens, $10.00 output per 1M tokens. GPT-5 Nano from OpenAI lists 400K context, 128K maximum output, $0.05 input per 1M tokens, $0.40 output per 1M tokens. Compare the inputs, outputs and deployment options below to see which fits your workflow.

Side-by-sideCapabilities and practical differences

OpenAI

GPT-5.1 Chat

GPT-5.1 Chat from OpenAI: Chat-tuned GPT-5.1 for polished assistants, writing, and product conversations.

Context
128K
Max output
16.38K
Input / 1M tokens
$1.25
Output / 1M tokens
$10.00

Accepts

  • Text input
  • Image input

Produces

  • Text output
VS

OpenAI

GPT-5 Nano

GPT-5 Nano from OpenAI: Tiny GPT-5 lane for routing, extraction, classification, and bulk jobs.

Context
400K
Max output
128K
Input / 1M tokens
$0.05
Output / 1M tokens
$0.40

Accepts

  • Text input
  • Image input

Produces

  • Text output

At a glance

Key differences

Compare the available figures below, then try both models on the work you need to do.

GPT-5 Nano

  • Context capacity: 400K
  • Maximum output: 128K
  • Input price: $0.05
  • Output price: $0.40

Context capacity

Higher listed limit

GPT-5.1 Chat:128K

GPT-5 Nano:400K

GPT-5 Nano

Maximum output

Higher listed limit

GPT-5.1 Chat:16.38K

GPT-5 Nano:128K

GPT-5 Nano

Input price

Lower listed token rate

GPT-5.1 Chat:$1.25

GPT-5 Nano:$0.05

GPT-5 Nano

Output price

Lower listed token rate

GPT-5.1 Chat:$10.00

GPT-5 Nano:$0.40

GPT-5 Nano

Specifications

Pricing, limits and capabilities

Specifications for GPT-5.1 Chat and GPT-5 Nano. Higher limits and lower prices describe these figures only.
SpecificationGPT-5.1 ChatGPT-5 Nano
ProviderOpenAIOpenAI
Listed pricing routeOpenAIOpenAI
Model familygpt-codexgpt-nano
Accepted inputstext, imagetext, image
Produced outputstexttext
Context window128K400KHigher
Max output16.38K128KHigher
Input price / 1M$1.25$0.05Lower
Output price / 1M$10.00$0.40Lower
Reasoning modeDocumentedDocumented
Tool callingDocumentedDocumented
Image inputDocumentedDocumented
Audio inputNot documentedNot documented
Structured outputDocumentedDocumented
LicenseProprietaryProprietary

Workload guidance

Which model should you choose?

Consider GPT-5 Nano if you need larger context or larger maximum output or a lower listed input rate or a lower listed output rate. Test both on the same representative examples and judge the output against your acceptance criteria. Include tool failures, retries and the time to a completed task.

Documentation and model profiles

Explore each model’s features, API requirements and licence terms in the sources below.

Questions people ask

It brings together documented inputs and outputs, token limits, deployment terms and available pricing. When both models have source-linked, verified results on a shared benchmark, those results are shown with their individual sources. The comparison is a starting point for evaluating your own workload.

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