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OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano vs OpenAI: o3

Head-to-head API cost, context, and performance comparison. Synced at 9:53:28 AM.

Executive Summary

When evaluating OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano against OpenAI: o3, the pricing structure is a key differentiator. OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano is approximately 96% more cost-effective per 1 million tokens overall.

However, when looking at raw reasoning capabilities, OpenAI: o3 leads with a statistical ELO score of 1300. For tasks involving complex logic, coding, or instruction-following, developers might prefer OpenAI: o3, provided their budget allows for the API burn rate.

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Raw Technical comparison

Metric
OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano
OpenAI: o3
Performance (ELO)
1300
1300
Input Cost / 1M
$0.05
$2.00
Output Cost / 1M
$0.40
$8.00
Context Window
400,000 tokens
200,000 tokens

Verdict

If you are looking for pure performance and capability, Tie is statistically superior. However, if API burn rate is the primary concern, OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano wins out aggressively in pricing.

People Also Ask

Is OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano cheaper than OpenAI: o3?

Yes. OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano is cheaper for both input and output generation compared to OpenAI: o3. Exploring alternatives often yields cost reductions.

Which model has the larger context window?

The OpenAI: GPT-5 Nano model has the advantage in memory, offering a massive 400,000 token limit for document ingestion.

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