The real cost of LLM inference
Free, source-cited calculators that answer one question with real numbers: is it cheaper to pay for the API or self-host an open-weight model? Break-even volume, monthly TCO, cost per token — with a dated price dataset you can override.
*Example: 10M input + 2M output tokens/mo, Claude Sonnet-class API vs Llama-70B on a rented A100 at 30% utilization. Run your own numbers →
Pick a calculator
Every calculator, direct
Compare: LLM API vs Self-Hosting Cost Calculator · LLM Break-Even Volume Calculator · LLM Cost vs Volume Curve
API cost: LLM Token Cost Calculator · Monthly LLM API Spend Calculator · LLM API Price Comparison · Prompt Caching & Batch Discount Calculator · LLM Cost Per Conversation Calculator
Self-hosting: GPU TCO Calculator for LLM Inference · GPU Cloud Cost Calculator · Self-Hosting Cost Per Token Calculator · LLM VRAM Calculator & Model Fit · GPU Utilization Break-Even Calculator
Usage: LLM Token Estimator · Context-Window Cost Calculator · LLM Throughput Planner
Data: LLM API Pricing Comparison: Cost per 1M Tokens · Open-Weight LLM Models & VRAM · NVIDIA GPU Cloud Pricing & Purchase Cost
Why another LLM cost calculator?
Most are throwaway JavaScript widgets: not indexable, prices undated and unsourced, no methodology, no named author. LLMTCO is built the opposite way:
- Real numbers, server-rendered. Every tool ships a worked default — no blank boxes, no "click to calculate".
- Dated, sourced prices. Each API and GPU price carries a verification date and a link to the official page. Every price is also an input you can override.
- Transparent math. Every formula is published on the methodology page and verified against known examples.
- Shareable scenarios. Copy a link that reproduces your exact inputs to send to a teammate.