GPT-5.1
OpenAI
At a glance
- Price per 1M tokens (input)
- $1.25
- Price per 1M tokens (output)
- $10.00
- Context
- 272,000 tokens
- Free access
- yes (see below)
Refreshed daily; data verified August 15, 2026. Published August 12, 2026.
GPT-5.1 by OpenAI is a multimodal model designed for businesses that need to process visual information alongside text, such as analyzing diagrams, screenshots, or product images. It also supports tool calling, which lets the model interact with external software and APIs to complete tasks like database queries or sending messages. The model emphasizes step-by-step reasoning, making it useful for complex problem-solving in areas like customer support, data analysis, and workflow automation. OpenAI’s approach focuses on integrating reasoning with practical action, so the model can both explain its logic and execute follow-up operations. This makes it a solid choice for teams that want a single model to handle both analysis and execution.
Specifications & pricing
| Input (per 1M tokens) | $1.25 |
|---|---|
| Output (per 1M tokens) | $10.00 |
| Cache read (per 1M tokens) | $0.13 |
| Context window | 272,000 tokens |
| Max output | 128,000 tokens |
| Capabilities | images, tool calling, reasoning |
LiteLLM community dataset (MIT), verified August 15, 2026. Official OpenAI pricing.
What GPT-5.1 would cost on your workload — run it through the cost calculator →
Where to try GPT-5.1 for free
- OpenAI offers a free chat — ChatGPT (free plan). A vendor's free chat may run a different model from the same family — the exact model is not guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
What is this model best used for in a business setting?+
GPT-5.1 is well-suited for tasks that combine visual understanding with structured decision-making. For example, you can feed it a chart or a UI mockup, ask it to explain what it sees, and then have it call a tool to update a spreadsheet or send a notification. Its step-by-step reasoning helps in audit trails, where you need to see how a conclusion was reached.
How do I get started with GPT-5.1?+
You can access GPT-5.1 through the OpenAI API or a compatible platform that hosts the model. Start by testing it with a simple prompt that includes an image and a text instruction, then gradually add tool definitions to enable function calling. Review the official documentation for authentication and integration examples.
How does GPT-5.1 differ from other models in the GPT line?+
Compared to text-only predecessors, GPT-5.1 adds native image understanding, allowing it to reason about visual inputs without a separate vision model. It also improves tool calling reliability, meaning it can format API requests more accurately and handle multi-step actions. In contrast, older models may require more manual parsing or lack built-in vision capabilities.
What are the main limitations of GPT-5.1?+
Like all language models, GPT-5.1 can occasionally produce incorrect reasoning or misinterpret visual details, so human review is advised for high-stakes decisions. Tool calling requires that you define functions clearly and handle errors gracefully, as the model may not always pick the right tool. It is also not designed to perform real-time actions on its own—it needs an external system to execute the calls.
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