comparison
GPT-5.4 mini vs GPT-5.4 nano
Token pricing, context window and real monthly cost, side by side. GPT-5.4 nano is the cheaper of the two for a typical workload — about 3.6× less.
Positioned by published specs — size, context and modality — not measured performance; a smaller model can sometimes outperform a larger one on your task.
GPT-5.4 mini is one class larger (Mini vs Nano). Lean to the cheaper GPT-5.4 nano unless your task is demanding enough to need the larger class.
| metric | GPT-5.4 mini | GPT-5.4 nano |
|---|---|---|
| Input / 1M | $0.75 | $0.20 |
| Output / 1M | $4.50 | $1.25 |
| Context | 400K | 400K |
| Technical class | Mini | Nano |
| Cost @ typical workload | $675/mo | $185/mo |
| Modality | text + image | text + image |
| Price source | list | list |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
Snapshot . Cost uses a typical workload; tune it in the calculator. How we measure →
Which should you pick?
On a typical workload, GPT-5.4 nano costs $185/mo against GPT-5.4 mini's $675/mo — roughly 3.6× cheaper. But the ranking depends on your output-to-input ratio: output is the pricier direction for both, so an output-heavy job (code generation, long answers) widens the gap while an input-heavy one (summarization, retrieval) narrows it. Both share the same context window, so that's not a deciding factor here. By technical class (size and context, not measured capability), GPT-5.4 mini is a Mini and GPT-5.4 nano a Nano — so the lower price partly reflects a smaller class, not just a discount.
These are list and routed market prices, not measured outcomes. Two models at the same rate can still cost different amounts to finish the same task, because verbose or reasoning-heavy models emit more tokens. That gap is exactly what measured cost-per-task captures. The technical-class read above is likewise spec-based — size, context and modality, not measured performance — so a smaller model can still outperform a larger one on your specific task.
Frequently asked questions
Is GPT-5.4 mini or GPT-5.4 nano cheaper?
For a typical workload (1,500 input + 500 output tokens × 200,000 requests/month), GPT-5.4 nano costs $185/mo versus $675/mo for GPT-5.4 mini — about 3.6× less. Because output is priced higher than input, the winner can flip if your workload writes much more or less than this; check your own numbers in the calculator.
What's the difference between GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano from OpenAI?
Same provider, different tier. On price, GPT-5.4 mini is $0.75/$4.50 per 1M (in/out) and GPT-5.4 nano is $0.20/$1.25. By technical class (size & context) it's Mini (GPT-5.4 mini) versus Nano (GPT-5.4 nano).
Why is GPT-5.4 nano so much cheaper than GPT-5.4 mini?
GPT-5.4 nano has a much lower per-token rate — $1.25/1M output versus $4.50, and it's a smaller technical class (Nano vs Mini). The headline rate isn't the whole story, though: a verbose model can cost more to finish a task than its rate implies — that's what measured cost-per-task captures.
More comparisons
- GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5.4 mini
- GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5.4 nano
- GPT-5.4 vs GPT-5.4 mini
- GPT-5.4 vs GPT-5.4 nano
- GPT-5.4 mini vs gpt-oss-120b
- Claude Sonnet 4.6 vs GPT-5.4 mini
Related
- GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano — full specs and price history.
- API cost calculator — compare on your own workload.
- All comparisons — the full head-to-head index.