Model Comparison

GPT-4.1 mini vs GPT-5Which is better in 2026?

GPT-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini is 4.9x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GPT-4.1 mini vs GPT-5 — which is better?

GPT-4.1 mini (by OpenAI) and GPT-5 (by OpenAI) are two of the AI models people compare most. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.

GPT-4.1 mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while GPT-5 is better at 15 benchmarks (Aider-Polyglot, AIME 2025, CharXiv-R, COLLIE, GPQA, Graphwalks BFS <128k, Graphwalks parents <128k, HMMT 2025, Humanity's Last Exam, Internal API instruction following (hard), MMLU, MMMU, Multi-Challenge, OpenAI-MRCR: 2 needle 128k, SWE-Bench Verified). GPT-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, GPT-4.1 mini is roughly 4.9x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-4.1 mini also accepts a larger context window (1,047,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GPT-4.1 mini if…

  • cost matters — it's about 4.9x cheaper per token
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,047,576 token context window

Choose GPT-5 if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 15 of 15 shared benchmarks
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Aug 2025

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

15 benchmarks

GPT-4.1 mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while GPT-5 is better at 15 benchmarks (Aider-Polyglot, AIME 2025, CharXiv-R, COLLIE, GPQA, Graphwalks BFS <128k, Graphwalks parents <128k, HMMT 2025, Humanity's Last Exam, Internal API instruction following (hard), MMLU, MMMU, Multi-Challenge, OpenAI-MRCR: 2 needle 128k, SWE-Bench Verified).

GPT-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Sat Jul 18 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

GPT-4.1 mini costs less

For input processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($0.40/1M tokens) is 3.1x cheaper than GPT-5 ($1.25/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($1.60/1M tokens) is 6.3x cheaper than GPT-5 ($10.00/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-5 is more expensive than GPT-4.1 mini.*

* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens

Lowest available price from all providers
Sat Jul 18 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input tokens$0.40
Output tokens$1.60
Best providerOpenAI
OpenAI
GPT-5
Input tokens$1.25
Output tokens$10.00
Best providerOpenAI
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-4.1 mini accepts 1,047,576 input tokens compared to GPT-5's 400,000 tokens. GPT-5 can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while GPT-4.1 mini is limited to 32,768 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input1,047,576 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
OpenAI
GPT-5
Input400,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
Sat Jul 18 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GPT-4.1 mini and GPT-5 support multimodal inputs.

They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.

GPT-4.1 mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

GPT-5

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

Both models are licensed under proprietary licenses.

Both models have usage restrictions defined by their respective organizations.

GPT-4.1 mini

Proprietary

Closed source

GPT-5

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4.1 mini was released on 2025-04-14, while GPT-5 was released on 2025-08-07.

GPT-5 is 4 months newer than GPT-4.1 mini.

GPT-4.1 mini

Apr 14, 2025

1.3 years ago

GPT-5

Aug 7, 2025

11 months ago

3mo newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 mini has a knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-31, while GPT-5 has a cutoff of 2024-09-30.

GPT-5 has more recent training data (up to 2024-09-30), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to GPT-4.1 mini (2024-05-31).

GPT-4.1 mini

May 2024

GPT-5

Sep 2024

4 mo newer

Provider Availability

GPT-4.1 mini is available from OpenAI. GPT-5 is available from OpenAI.

GPT-4.1 mini

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $0.40/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.60/1M

GPT-5

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $1.25/1MOutput Price:Output: $10.00/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Larger context window (1,047,576 tokens)
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
OpenAI
Higher Aider-Polyglot score (88.0% vs 34.7%)
Higher AIME 2025 score (94.6% vs 40.2%)
Higher CharXiv-R score (81.1% vs 56.8%)
Higher COLLIE score (99.0% vs 54.6%)
Higher GPQA score (85.7% vs 65.0%)
Higher Graphwalks BFS <128k score (78.3% vs 61.7%)
Higher Graphwalks parents <128k score (73.3% vs 60.5%)
Higher HMMT 2025 score (93.3% vs 35.0%)
Higher Humanity's Last Exam score (24.8% vs 3.7%)
Higher Internal API instruction following (hard) score (64.0% vs 45.1%)
Higher MMLU score (92.5% vs 87.5%)
Higher MMMU score (84.2% vs 72.7%)
Higher Multi-Challenge score (69.6% vs 35.8%)
Higher OpenAI-MRCR: 2 needle 128k score (95.2% vs 47.2%)
Higher SWE-Bench Verified score (74.9% vs 23.6%)
OpenAIGPT-4.1 mini
OpenAIGPT-5
Compare in Playground

Detailed Comparison

Interactive Arena

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GPT-4.1 mini and GPT-5 side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GPT-4.1 mini
✓ Preferred
GPT-5
Open in Playground
AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
OpenAI
GPT-5

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4.1 mini vs GPT-5.

Which is better, GPT-4.1 mini or GPT-5?

GPT-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini is made by OpenAI and GPT-5 is made by OpenAI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4.1 mini compare to GPT-5 in benchmarks?

GPT-4.1 mini scores CharXiv-D: 88.4%, MMLU: 87.5%, IFEval: 84.1%, MMMLU: 78.5%, MathVista: 73.1%. GPT-5 scores SWE-Lancer (IC-Diamond subset): 100.0%, COLLIE: 99.0%, Tau2 Telecom: 96.7%, OpenAI-MRCR: 2 needle 128k: 95.2%, AIME 2025: 94.6%.

Is GPT-4.1 mini cheaper than GPT-5?

GPT-4.1 mini is 3.1x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-4.1 mini costs $0.40/M input and $1.60/M output via openai. GPT-5 costs $1.25/M input and $10.00/M output via openai.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4.1 mini and GPT-5?

GPT-4.1 mini supports 1.0M tokens and GPT-5 supports 400K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GPT-4.1 mini and GPT-5?

Key differences include context window (1.0M vs 400K), input pricing ($0.40 vs $1.25/M). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

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