> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.wonka.chat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding Token Pricing

> A simple guide to understanding how AI model pricing works and choosing the right model for your needs

## What Are Tokens?

<Info>
  Tokens are the units that measure AI model usage. Think of them as the "currency" that AI models consume when they process your requests.

  Simple analogy: If AI models were cars, tokens would be gallons of gas. Different cars (models) use different amounts of gas (tokens) to go the same distance.
</Info>

### How to Think About Tokens

* 1 token ≈ 3/4 of a word in English
* "Hello, how are you?" = approximately 6 tokens
* A typical email (200 words) = approximately 265 tokens
* A full page of text (500 words) = approximately 665 tokens

<Check>
  Both your question AND the AI's answer consume tokens. You pay for both.
</Check>

***

## Why Different Models Cost Different Amounts

Just like cars, AI models come in different sizes with different capabilities:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Economy Models" icon="piggy-bank">
    0.04 to 0.15 USD per 1M tokens

    Like a compact car - efficient for everyday tasks.

    Best for:

    * Simple questions
    * Categorization
    * Basic summaries
    * High-volume tasks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Standard Models" icon="gauge">
    0.60 to 3.00 USD per 1M tokens

    Like a sedan - reliable for most needs.

    Best for:

    * Business emails
    * Reports
    * Research
    * General conversations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Premium Models" icon="rocket">
    10.00 to 75.00 USD per 1M tokens

    Like a luxury car - maximum capability.

    Best for:

    * Critical decisions
    * Complex analysis
    * Strategic planning
    * Maximum accuracy
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Available Models in WonkaChat

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="By Provider">
    ### OpenAI Models

    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion title="GPT-5 Series (Latest)" icon="star">
        | Model   | Best For                    |
        | ------- | --------------------------- |
        | GPT-5.2 | Most advanced general tasks |
        | GPT-5   | High-quality responses      |

        <Tip>
          GPT-5 series offers cutting-edge performance for complex tasks.
        </Tip>
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="GPT-4o Series" icon="circle-check">
        | Model       | Best For                                  |
        | ----------- | ----------------------------------------- |
        | GPT-4o      | High-quality responses, complex reasoning |
        | GPT-4o Mini | General tasks, best value                 |

        <Check>
          GPT-4o Mini is recommended for most business tasks - excellent balance of quality and cost.
        </Check>
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>

    ***

    ### Anthropic Claude Models

    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion title="Claude Sonnet Series" icon="brain">
        | Model             | Best For                             |
        | ----------------- | ------------------------------------ |
        | Claude Sonnet 4.6 | Latest version, enhanced performance |
        | Claude Sonnet 4.5 | Balanced performance                 |
        | Claude Sonnet 4   | Complex reasoning and instructions   |

        <Tip>
          Claude Sonnet models excel at following complex instructions and nuanced tasks.
        </Tip>
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Claude Haiku & Opus" icon="circle">
        | Model            | Best For                        |
        | ---------------- | ------------------------------- |
        | Claude Haiku 4.5 | Fast, efficient tasks           |
        | Claude Opus 4.5  | Maximum capability and accuracy |
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>

    ***

    ### Google Gemini Models

    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion title="Gemini 3 Series (Preview)" icon="sparkles">
        | Model                  | Best For                   |
        | ---------------------- | -------------------------- |
        | Gemini 3 Pro Preview   | Next-gen complex reasoning |
        | Gemini 3 Flash Preview | Next-gen fast tasks        |

        <Info>
          Gemini 3 models are preview versions with cutting-edge capabilities.
        </Info>
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Gemini 2.5 Series" icon="google">
        | Model            | Best For                   |
        | ---------------- | -------------------------- |
        | Gemini 2.5 Pro   | Complex reasoning tasks    |
        | Gemini 2.5 Flash | Fast, cost-effective tasks |

        <Check>
          Gemini 2.5 Flash offers excellent performance at very competitive pricing.
        </Check>
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>

    ***

    ### Mistral AI Models

    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion title="Mistral Latest Series" icon="sparkles">
        | Model                 | Best For                                 |
        | --------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
        | Mistral Large Latest  | Advanced tasks requiring high capability |
        | Mistral Medium Latest | Balanced performance for general use     |

        <Info>
          Mistral "Latest" models automatically update to the newest versions, ensuring you always have access to improvements.
        </Info>
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="By Use Case">
    ### Simple Tasks (FAQ, categorization, summaries)

    Best options:

    * GPT-4o Mini - Best overall value
    * Claude Haiku 4.5 - Fast and efficient
    * Gemini 2.5 Flash - Very cost-effective

    ***

    ### General Business Tasks (emails, reports, research)

    Best options:

    * GPT-4o - High quality
    * Claude Sonnet 4.6 - Excellent instruction following
    * Gemini 2.5 Pro - Strong performance

    ***

    ### Complex Reasoning (analysis, strategy, coding)

    Best options:

    * GPT-5.2 - Most advanced
    * Claude Opus 4.5 - Maximum capability
    * Claude Sonnet 4.6 - Complex instructions
    * Gemini 3 Pro Preview - Next-gen reasoning

    ***

    ### High-Volume Operations (chatbots, automation)

    Best options:

    * GPT-4o Mini - Best value
    * Gemini 2.5 Flash - Very cost-effective
    * Claude Haiku 4.5 - Fast processing
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Which Model Should You Use?

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start with the question: How important is this task?">
    Low stakes, high volume:

    * Customer FAQs
    * Simple categorization
    * Basic summaries
    * Internal notes

    → Use Economy Models: GPT-4o Mini, Gemini 2.5 Flash, Claude Haiku 4.5

    Medium importance:

    * Customer-facing emails
    * Internal reports
    * Research tasks
    * General business tasks

    → Use Standard Models: GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet 4.6, Gemini 2.5 Pro

    High stakes, critical:

    * Client proposals
    * Strategic decisions
    * Complex analysis
    * Sensitive communications

    → Use Premium Models: GPT-5.2, Claude Opus 4.5, Gemini 3 Pro Preview
  </Step>

  <Step title="Consider your volume">
    How many requests per day?

    * High volume (1,000+ per day): Every cent matters → Use economy models
    * Medium volume (100-1,000 per day): Balance quality and cost → Use standard models
    * Low volume (less than 100 per day): Quality over cost → Use premium models where needed
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test and adjust">
    <Tip>
      Pro tip: Start with a mid-tier model (like GPT-4o Mini), evaluate the quality, then adjust:

      * Quality not good enough? → Try a better model
      * Quality is great? → Test a cheaper model to save money
    </Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Common Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How much will this actually cost me?" icon="dollar-sign">
    To estimate your costs:

    1. Track your actual usage for a few days
    2. Count tokens per typical request
    3. Calculate based on your chosen model's rate

    Your Sales Support team can help you estimate costs based on your specific use case and expected volume.

    [Contact Sales Support Team](/en/support-resources/getting-help)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I mix different models?" icon="shuffle">
    Yes! This is actually a smart strategy:

    * Customer-facing tasks: Use better models (they represent your brand)
    * Internal tasks: Use economy models (quality matters less)
    * Testing/development: Use the cheapest models

    You can configure different models for different AI agents.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I pick the wrong model?" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    No problem! You can switch models anytime:

    1. Test with a mid-tier model
    2. Evaluate quality for your use case
    3. Adjust up or down based on results

    There's no penalty for switching, and you only pay for what you use.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I know which model I'm using?" icon="circle-question">
    When creating or editing an AI agent in WonkaChat, you select the model in the agent settings. Each agent can use a different model.

    Our recommendation: Start with GPT-4o Mini for most business tasks, then adjust based on your quality needs.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Recommended Starting Models

Not sure where to start? Here are our top recommendations:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Best Overall Value" icon="star">
    GPT-4o Mini

    Excellent quality for most business tasks. This is what we recommend to 80% of our customers.

    Use for: Emails, reports, general questions, customer support
  </Card>

  <Card title="Best for Speed" icon="gauge">
    Gemini 2.5 Flash

    Very fast and cost-effective. Great for high-volume, time-sensitive tasks.

    Use for: Quick responses, FAQs, simple classifications
  </Card>

  <Card title="Best for Complex Tasks" icon="brain">
    Claude Sonnet 4.6

    Exceptional at following complex instructions and nuanced reasoning.

    Use for: Analysis, strategy, sensitive communications
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Need More Details?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Detailed Model Pricing" icon="table" href="/en/pricing/tokens-pricing">
    See complete pricing tables for all available AI models.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contact Sales" icon="phone" href="/en/support-resources/getting-help">
    Not sure which model is right? Our team can analyze your needs and recommend the best fit.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>