Tasks per month
1,000
User or scheduled tasks handled by the agent.
Agent cost planning
AI Agent Cost Calculator
Estimate the API cost of multi-step agents, tool-using workflows, research loops, and automated task runners.
Scenario assumptions
Start with these editable numeric assumptions, then adjust the calculator fields to match your own traffic and token usage.
Steps per task
6
Average model calls for planning, tool use, review, and final output.
Input tokens per step
1,800
Instructions, tool results, memory, and task context.
Output tokens per step
900
Intermediate reasoning summaries, tool instructions, and final response content.
AI agent model and usage
Choose a model and edit the numeric assumptions for this AI agent scenario.
OpenAIexample-openai-premiumExample price
Input price
$3.00 / 1M tokens
Output price
$12.00 / 1M tokens
Last updated: 2026-06-27View pricing source
This model uses placeholder example pricing. Verify the official source before using it for planning.
Usage assumptions
Estimate traffic and token usage for an average request.
Estimated results
Run the calculator to see usage volume and projected cost.
Add your usage assumptions, then calculate to preview estimated AI API spend.
How to read the output
Use the result as a planning estimate, then validate against provider pricing and real usage once the workflow is live.
Cost per task
Agent costs often multiply because one task can require several model calls instead of a single response.
Monthly automation spend
Use monthly and yearly estimates to decide whether tasks need cheaper routing, limits, or caching.
Step count sensitivity
Compare simple and complex task paths because retries and tool loops can materially change cost.
Models to consider
These options come from the central model data and are suggestions to evaluate, not claims that one model is best for every workload.
OpenAI
example-openai-premium
Reasoning-capable option to evaluate for multi-step tasks.
Input $3.00 / 1M, output $12.00 / 1M.
Open modelGemini
example-gemini-pro
Reasoning-capable option to evaluate for multi-step tasks.
Input $2.00 / 1M, output $8.00 / 1M.
Open modelMistral
example-mistral-large
Reasoning-capable option to evaluate for multi-step tasks.
Input $2.50 / 1M, output $7.50 / 1M.
Open modelAnthropic
example-anthropic-balanced
Reasoning-capable option to evaluate for multi-step tasks.
Input $2.00 / 1M, output $8.00 / 1M.
Open modelRelated planning pages
Move between use-case calculators, provider pages, and pricing comparisons without entering private content.
AI agent FAQ
Short answers for estimating this scenario without sharing private prompts, documents, or customer data.
Why do AI agents cost more than simple chatbots?
Agents can make multiple model calls per task for planning, tool use, retries, validation, and final output.
How do I estimate steps per task?
Map the common path for one task, count expected model calls, then add a small allowance for retries or review steps.
Can I reduce agent API cost?
Often yes. Route simple steps to cheaper models, cap loops, shorten tool output, and cache repeated context when appropriate.