How LLM API Pricing Works

Tokens, input vs output, context windows — why the same task can cost 50× more on one model than another, explained simply.

HomeAI Models › Claude Opus 4.8 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6

Claude Opus 4.8 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6: price comparison

Real 2026 API prices side by side, with the total cost of a typical 10M-input / 3M-output monthly workload.

Price & cost at a glance

Claude Opus 4.8Claude Sonnet 4.6
Input / 1M tokens$15$3
Output / 1M tokens$75$15
Context window300K300K
Cost — 10M in + 3M out$375$75

Green = cheaper / larger. Prices per 1M tokens, USD. Snapshot 2026 — verify with the provider.

Which is cheaper?

Claude Sonnet 4.6 is the cheaper option on a 10M-in / 3M-out workload — about $75/mo versus $375 for Claude Opus 4.8 (~5.0× difference). Because output tokens are billed higher, the model with the lower output price usually wins as your responses get longer.

Run your own token mix in the cost calculator, or see each model in depth: Claude Opus 4.8 · Claude Sonnet 4.6.

Frequently asked

Is Claude Opus 4.8 or Claude Sonnet 4.6 cheaper?

At a typical 10M input + 3M output tokens per month, Claude Sonnet 4.6 costs about $75 versus $375 for Claude Opus 4.8 — Claude Sonnet 4.6 is roughly 5.0x cheaper on this workload. Your ratio of input to output tokens changes the gap.

What's the price difference between Claude Opus 4.8 and Claude Sonnet 4.6?

Claude Opus 4.8 is $15/$75 per 1M input/output tokens; Claude Sonnet 4.6 is $3/$15. Output tokens usually dominate a bill, so compare the output price first.

Which has the bigger context window, Claude Opus 4.8 or Claude Sonnet 4.6?

Claude Opus 4.8 supports about 300K tokens and Claude Sonnet 4.6 about 300K. A bigger window costs more per call because every token in context is billed.

Educational estimates — not affiliated with any provider.