Plan AI API cost around accepted work

Build a workload model

For text, record input and output token distributions. For images and video, record resolution, duration, variants, retries, and the percentage of outputs accepted by the workflow. Multiply by daily or monthly volume and keep scenario assumptions visible.

Include operational amplification

Retries, safety rejections, model fallbacks, regenerated outputs, and polling requests can increase the effective cost of one accepted result. Model these separately so improvements to prompts, validation, or routing can be valued.

effective_cost =
  total_provider_cost
  / accepted_product_outputs

Date every price source

Pricing and availability change. Store the source URL, currency, unit, checked date, and any volume assumptions next to each price. A calculator should accept current prices rather than hard-code a claim that will age silently.

Use scenario tools

Try the LLM API Cost Calculator for caller-supplied prices or the workload comparison guide for text, image, and video planning.