LLM Cost Estimator
Estimate LLM cost across models by comparing workflow tokens and refinement passes—not just headline token rates.
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.
Related reading
Formulas, examples, and a cost framework to estimate your AI usage cost before you run it in production.
Estimate your monthly AI API spend using token counts, call volume, and safety caps.
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A structured approach to reduce AI API cost across models, prompts, tools, and monitoring.