GPT-4.1 nano vs Nova Lite
Nova Lite leads the LLM Stats Score 7.7 to 1.9. Nova Lite is 1.7x cheaper per token.
OpenAI · Amazon · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
Nova Lite leads the overall LLM Stats Score 7.7 to 1.9, ranking #277 overall.
In the 4 individual benchmarks reported for both models, Nova Lite wins 3; this is a narrower head-to-head signal than the composite indexes.
On price, Nova Lite is roughly 1.7x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
GPT-4.1 nano also accepts a larger context window (1,047,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.
Based on current LLM Stats indexes, shared benchmarks, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.
Choose GPT-4.1 nano
- you process long inputs — it offers a 1,047,576 token context window
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Apr 2025
Choose Nova Lite
- overall performance matters — it scores 7.7 and ranks #277 on LLM Stats
- your work emphasizes coding — it leads those capability indexes
- you value its reported benchmark strengths — it wins 3 of 4 exact shared results
- cost matters — it's about 1.7x cheaper per token
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Capability indexes
Additional strengths measured across groups of related public benchmarks
Individual benchmarks
24 reported for GPT-4.1 nano · 27 for Nova Lite
GPT-4.1 nano outperforms in 1 benchmarks (GPQA), while Nova Lite is better at 3 benchmarks (IFEval, MMLU, MMMU).
Nova Lite shows notably better performance in the majority of benchmarks.
Human preference
Blind head-to-head votes and playground preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, GPT-4.1 nano ($0.10/1M tokens) is 1.7x more expensive than Nova Lite ($0.06/1M tokens).
For output processing, GPT-4.1 nano ($0.40/1M tokens) is 1.7x more expensive than Nova Lite ($0.24/1M tokens).
In conclusion, GPT-4.1 nano is more expensive than Nova Lite.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
GPT-4.1 nano accepts 1,047,576 input tokens compared to Nova Lite's 300,000 tokens. GPT-4.1 nano can generate longer responses up to 32,768 tokens, while Nova Lite is limited to 2,048 tokens.
Input capabilities
Documented input modalities across available providers
Both GPT-4.1 nano and Nova Lite support multimodal inputs.
They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.
GPT-4.1 nano
Nova Lite
License
Usage and distribution terms
Both models are licensed under proprietary licenses.
Both models have usage restrictions defined by their respective organizations.
Proprietary
Closed source
Proprietary
Closed source
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
GPT-4.1 nano was released on 2025-04-14, while Nova Lite was released on 2024-11-20.
GPT-4.1 nano is 5 months newer than Nova Lite.
Apr 14, 2025
1.4 years ago
4mo newerNov 20, 2024
1.8 years ago
Knowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
GPT-4.1 nano has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-31, while Nova Lite's cutoff date is not specified.
We can confirm GPT-4.1 nano's training data extends to 2024-05-31, but cannot make a direct comparison without Nova Lite's cutoff date.
May 2024
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Provider Availability
GPT-4.1 nano is available from OpenAI. Nova Lite is available from Bedrock.
GPT-4.1 nano
Nova Lite
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against GPT-4.1 nano and Nova Lite side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about GPT-4.1 nano vs Nova Lite.