LLM Cost Estimator
Estimate LLM cost across models by comparing workflow tokens and refinement passes—not just headline token rates.
The problem
If two models finish the job with different numbers of calls, the cheaper one isn’t always the one with the lower per-token rate.
Framework
- Count billed tokens per call
- Count calls per user action
- Compare total billed tokens across models
Why routing matters
Routing lets you use cheaper models for simpler steps and premium models only for final quality.
Example
Model A: 1 call. Model B: 2 calls. Even if B has a better headline rate, A can still win overall.
Next step
Optimize your workflow before choosing a model.
