Understand the economics

What does an AI task cost?

A useful result may take several attempts. Estimate the whole batch, then divide by the tasks you actually completed.

Use rates from the provider or runtime you choose. These are manual inputs, not live vendor rates or SimpleDirect® pricing. Select one currency for every amount; changing the currency changes the label, not the numbers. Your inputs stay in this page and are not submitted.

Currency for every amount

Usage per attempt

Input tokens per attempt

Average across all attempts, including repeated context.

Output tokens per attempt

Average across all attempts, including unsuccessful ones.

Input rate per million tokens

Enter your own rate in the selected currency.

Output rate per million tokens

Enter your own rate in the selected currency.

The whole batch

Total attempts

Count every execution, including retries and failures; at least one.

Useful tasks completed

Count reviewed outcomes that met your criteria; no more than the attempts.

Tool costs for the batch

Total cost of searches, external tools or other services.

Infrastructure costs for the batch

Total allocated cost of compute, hosting or storage.

Results update as you edit. Use a dot or comma for decimal values; enter whole numbers for tokens, attempts and completed tasks.

Your estimate

Total cost for the batch

$0.00

Cost per useful completed task

$0.00

Input tokens: $0.00
Output tokens: $0.00
Tools: $0.00
Infrastructure: $0.00

What this calculation assumes

The same average input and output token counts and rates apply to every attempt. Include failed attempts in those averages.
Rates are per million tokens, in a single currency. There is no currency conversion or automatic rate lookup.
Tool and infrastructure amounts are totals for the batch, added once. Each attempt belongs to one task; a task may take several attempts.
Taxes, subscriptions, caching differences and human review time are not calculated separately. Include relevant costs in the batch inputs and record human attention alongside the estimate.

Total = ((input tokens × input rate + output tokens × output rate) ÷ one million × attempts) + tool costs + infrastructure costs. Cost per outcome = total ÷ completed tasks.

(10,000 × 0 + 2,000 × 0) ÷ 1 000 000 × 3 + 0 + 0 = $0.00

The starting token and attempt counts are illustrative. Rates and other costs start at zero; enter your own amounts before treating the estimate as useful.

A completed task needs evidence.

A low bill is useful only if the work meets your criteria. Review the outcome before counting it as complete.

Learn to verify AI-generated work