Short creative writing generation
You send a 5,000-token prompt and receive a 1,000-token response. Cost = (5,000/1,000,000 * $0.15) + (1,000/1,000,000 * $0.50) = $0.00075 + $0.00050 = $0.00125.
Transparent Token Pricing
Stop overpaying for corporate overhead. You pay strictly for the tokens you consume, with no hidden monthly fees or subscription locks.
per 1M input tokens$0.15
Output tokens / 1M$0.50
token context100,000
trial credit$0.50
requests per minute300
Cost estimator
Usage examples
Long context analysis
You process a 50,000-token document and get a 2,000-token summary. Cost = (50,000/1,000,000 * $0.15) + (2,000/1,000,000 * $0.50) = $0.00750 + $0.00100 = $0.00850.
High-volume chat streaming
You send 10,000 tokens and receive 4,000 tokens. Cost = (10,000/1,000,000 * $0.15) + (4,000/1,000,000 * $0.50) = $0.00150 + $0.00200 = $0.00350.
Pay Per Token Rates
Our pricing is simple: $0.15 per million input tokens and $0.50 per million output tokens. This structure ensures you only pay for the actual computational work your model performs. There are no tiered discounts or volume commitments required to access these rates.
You can track your exact spend in real-time. Every request adds to your prepaid balance based on token usage. Errors and refusals do not consume tokens, so you never pay for failed attempts. This transparency means you know exactly what each conversation costs before you send it.
Crypto Top-ups and Bonuses
We accept USDT (TRC20) or USDC (Base) for all top-ups. You can add any whole amount between $20 and $500 to your account. This crypto-only model removes banking fees and keeps your identity private. Top up $50 and receive 5% extra. Add $100 for a 10% bonus, or $200 to get 15% extra credit. These bonuses extend your usage without extra cost. Your prepaid balance never expires, so you can top up whenever convenient.
Free Errors and Refusals
If the model refuses a request due to our hard content limit or returns an error, you pay nothing. We do not charge tokens for failed responses. This protects your budget from unexpected costs during testing or high-traffic periods. You only pay for successful text generation.
This approach is fair for developers running automated scripts. You can retry requests without worrying about token waste. Our system tracks usage accurately, so your balance reflects only the work that actually reached the model successfully.
No Expiration, No Subscriptions
Your prepaid credit never expires. You can top up once and use it over weeks or months. There are no monthly subscriptions to manage or cancel. This flexibility suits both casual testers and heavy users who prefer predictable spending.
Start with $0.50 trial credit to test the API. This trial lasts 7 days and lets you verify the uncensored output quality before committing to a larger top-up. Keep your code simple and your costs predictable.
Common queries
What is the openrouter AI key pricing structure?
We charge $0.15 per million input tokens and $0.50 per million output tokens. You pay strictly for what you use, with no monthly fees or hidden costs.
How do I top up my balance?
Use USDT (TRC20) or USDC (Base) to add funds. Minimum top-up is $20, maximum is $500. You receive bonus credit based on the amount added, ranging from 5% to 15%.
Do I lose money if the API returns an error?
No. Errors and refusals are free. You only pay for tokens that are successfully generated and returned by the model. This protects your budget during development.
Which payment methods do you accept?
Crypto only: USDT on TRC20 or USDC on Base, any whole amount from $20 to $500. Bonus credit applies from $50.
Get your key now
Register, copy your key, point to the new base URL. That is the entire workflow.
