AI Index

Grok 4.5vsGrok 4.6

Both language models, compared at each maker’s own API list prices. Every figure links to its source.

Compare at your usage

Every model priced for the same request
Prompt per request
Cache hits

8,000 tokens in, 2,000 out

Grok 4.5 on xAI APIGrok 4.6 on xAI API
Rate appliedBase rateBase rate
Inputper 1M tokens$2.00 $2.00
Cache readper 1M tokens$0.30 $0.50
Outputper 1M tokens$6.00 $6.00
Cost per request$0.028$0.028
Per 1,000 requests$28.00$28.00

Every model is priced for the same request at its maker’s own list prices (each with its source and date), so bold marks the cheapest. A model that can’t serve the request is named, not ranked; a condition its seller doesn’t price says which rate was used.

Cost per request as prompts grow

2K tokens out, list price on each maker’s API. Grok 4.5 charges $4.00 / $12.00 above 200K tokens. Grok 4.6 charges $4.00 / $12.00 above 200K tokens. A line ends at the model’s context window.

0$0.50$1.00$1.50$2.000250K500K750K1Mprompt tokens per request200K8KGrok 4.5$0.028 at 8KGrok 4.6$0.028 at 8K
  • Grok 4.5 · xAI API
  • Grok 4.6 · xAI API

Where each stands among all scored models

Each line runs from the lowest to the highest score on the board; the tick is the median.

Epoch Capabilities Index#42 vs #24 of 118Grok 4.6: 157.9Grok 4.5: 155.1LMArena Text#37 vs #48 of 163Grok 4.6: 1,456Grok 4.5: 1,465LMArena Text · Coding#38 vs #44 of 163Grok 4.6: 1,509Grok 4.5: 1,514LMArena Vision#22 vs #37 of 89Grok 4.6: 1,263Grok 4.5: 1,287
  • Grok 4.5
  • Grok 4.6

Key differences

Grok 4.5Grok 4.6
Cache readMaker’s official API · global · USD
$0.30 / 1M tokens xAI models and pricing · as of Nov 1, 2026
$0.50 / 1M tokens xAI models and pricing · as of Nov 1, 2026
Cache readMaker’s official API · global · USD · Prompts over 200K tokens
$0.60 / 1M tokens xAI models and pricing · as of Nov 1, 2026
$1.00 / 1M tokens xAI models and pricing · as of Nov 1, 2026

These differences use verified vendor specifications or each maker’s official API on the same region, currency, meter and billing conditions. Different conditions remain side by side in the full table; they do not establish which model is cheaper. Declared features describe support, not measured quality or a recommendation. Missing evidence does not mean a feature is unsupported.

Full comparison

Grok 4.5 xAI Grok 4.6 xAI
Overview
ReleasedJul 8, 2026 Aug 12, 2026
Open weights— —
Knowledge cutoffNot stated Feb 1, 2026
Specs
Context500K 500K
Max output500K 500K
Input modalitiesText, Image Text, Image
Output modalitiesText Text
ReasoningYes Yes
Reasoning effortslow, medium, high, xhigh low, medium, high, xhigh
Tool useYes Yes
Structured outputYes Yes
Pricing · per 1M tokens
Input price$2.00Also priced under other conditions: Prompts over 200K tokens $2.00Also priced under other conditions: Prompts over 200K tokens
Output price$6.00Also priced under other conditions: Prompts over 200K tokens $6.00Also priced under other conditions: Prompts over 200K tokens
Cache read price$0.30Also priced under other conditions: Prompts over 200K tokens $0.50Also priced under other conditions: Prompts over 200K tokens
Blended price (3 input : 1 output)$3.00 $3.00
Pricing under conditions · per 1M tokens
Input price, long prompts$4.00Prompts over 200K tokens $4.00Prompts over 200K tokens
Output price, long prompts$12.00Prompts over 200K tokens $12.00Prompts over 200K tokens
Cited scores
Epoch Capabilities Index155.1 157.9
LMArena Text1,465 1,456 high effort
LMArena Text · Coding1,514 1,509 high effort
LMArena Vision1,287 1,263 high effort
LMArena Text · Chinese1,504 1,497 high effort
Epoch AI · GPQA Diamond93.4% high effort94% high effort
Epoch AI · FrontierMath Tiers 1–357.2% high effort66% xhigh effort

Headline prices may come from different channels, regions or tiers. Check each source before choosing a model; missing facts stay blank.

Model details and sources

Cited scores