GPT-5 vs GPT-5 mini
GPT-5 and GPT-5 mini are closely matched at 33.8 and 27.3 on the LLM Stats Score. GPT-5 mini is 5.0x cheaper per token.
OpenAI · OpenAI · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
GPT-5 and GPT-5 mini are closely matched on the overall LLM Stats Score at 33.8 and 27.3.
In the 5 individual benchmarks reported for both models, GPT-5 wins 5; this is a narrower head-to-head signal than the composite indexes.
On price, GPT-5 mini is roughly 5.0x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
Based on current LLM Stats indexes, shared benchmarks, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.
Choose GPT-5
- you value its reported benchmark strengths — it wins 5 of 5 exact shared results
Choose GPT-5 mini
- cost matters — it's about 5.0x cheaper per token
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Capability indexes
Additional strengths measured across groups of related public benchmarks
Individual benchmarks
34 reported for GPT-5 · 5 for GPT-5 mini
GPT-5 outperforms in 5 benchmarks (AIME 2025, FrontierMath, GPQA, HMMT 2025, Humanity's Last Exam), while GPT-5 mini is better at 0 benchmarks.
GPT-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
Human preference
Blind head-to-head votes and playground preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, GPT-5 ($1.25/1M tokens) is 5.0x more expensive than GPT-5 mini ($0.25/1M tokens).
For output processing, GPT-5 ($10.00/1M tokens) is 5.0x more expensive than GPT-5 mini ($2.00/1M tokens).
In conclusion, GPT-5 is more expensive than GPT-5 mini.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
Both models have the same input context window of 400,000 tokens. Both models can generate responses up to 128,000 tokens.
Input capabilities
Documented input modalities across available providers
Both GPT-5 and GPT-5 mini support multimodal inputs.
They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.
GPT-5
GPT-5 mini
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
Both models were released on 2025-08-07.
They likely represent similar generations of model development.
Aug 7, 2025
1.1 years ago
Aug 7, 2025
1.1 years ago
Knowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
GPT-5 has a knowledge cutoff of 2024-09-30, while GPT-5 mini has a cutoff of 2024-05-30.
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-5 mini (2024-05-30).
Sep 2024
4 mo newerMay 2024
Provider Availability
GPT-5 is available from OpenAI. GPT-5 mini is available from OpenAI.
GPT-5
GPT-5 mini
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against GPT-5 and GPT-5 mini side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about GPT-5 vs GPT-5 mini.