How to use the estimate
Use the monthly result as a planning number, not a contract. Add room for retries, tests, scheduled jobs, prompt changes, longer user conversations, and background automations.
Costs, risks, and caveats
Token usage can grow quickly when agents call tools, summarize long documents, or retry failed steps. Keep API keys out of frontend code, set spending alerts where your provider supports them, and test with realistic examples before opening a workflow to users.
Recommended next steps
Estimate a low, expected, and high scenario. Then compare the API path with a local model path, especially when privacy, predictable volume, or self-hosting control matters.
Source and pricing notes
Provider prices, cache discounts, batch discounts, rate limits, and model names can change. Use the pricing page for the exact provider and model you plan to use, then rerun the estimate before turning on production traffic.
Privacy and security notes
Keep API keys on the server side, avoid sending unnecessary personal or confidential data to a model provider, and set billing alerts before agents, scheduled jobs, or background retries can run unattended.
Common questions
Why does this calculator ask for token prices instead of choosing a provider?
AI pricing changes often and varies by model. Enter the current input and output prices from the provider pricing page so the estimate matches the model you are actually considering.
Should I estimate input and output tokens separately?
Yes. Many models price input and output tokens differently, and agent workflows can produce more output tokens than a short chat answer.
What should I include in request volume?
Include background automations, retries, tests, scheduled jobs, and internal users. Those quiet calls are often what turns a small prototype into a real monthly bill.