OpenAI: o3
Analysis Summary
OpenAI o3 is a reasoning-focused multimodal model with a 200K context window, image and file support, and tool and function calling. Its general intelligence measurement is the strongest in this batch, making it relevant to difficult analysis, planning, technical explanations, and multi-step tasks. The available record does not include detailed coding benchmarks, so software performance should be validated on representative repositories.
It is a strong fit for high-value client work, including complex SEO strategy, research synthesis, document reasoning, and guarded tool-connected agents. The input and output prices are too high for routine bulk generation when cheaper models can meet the brief. Use o3 as an escalation model for ambiguity and depth, supported by a lower-cost production tier for everyday requests.
Assessed September 7, 2026
Editorial notes
o3 combines strong general reasoning with multimodal input, a 200K context, and tool and function calling, making it suitable for complex analysis and agentic workflows. Its pricing and context are less attractive for high-volume routine traffic.
Rankings consider pricing, capabilities, benchmarks, and real-world applicability and are refreshed as new models launch. Feedback?
DFO Verdict
o3 combines strong general reasoning with multimodal input, a 200K context, and tool and function calling, making it suitable for complex analysis and agentic workflows. Its pricing and context are less attractive for high-volume routine traffic.
How OpenAI: o3 compares
OpenAI: o3 ranks #134 of 435 AI models we track for overall intelligence. Its 200K-token context window is larger than 55% of the models we list. At $2.00 per million input tokens it is cheaper than 18% of comparable models.
Dark bar = input · light bar = output, scaled to the priciest peer.
1M tokens ≈ 8 full-length novels or ~2,500 pages of business documents in a single request.
Strongest on business fit. The pulled-in technical corner is the trade-off, and if the shape matters more than the price, this is your model.
Compare shapes side-by-side →Pricing
| Token Type | Cost per 1M tokens | Cost per 1K tokens |
|---|---|---|
| Input | $2.00 | $0.002000 |
| Output | $8.00 | $0.008000 |
What would OpenAI: o3 cost your business?
Pick the job that looks most like yours, then fine-tune with the sliders. Estimates update live.
A website chatbot handling around 100 customer conversations a day, a few short messages each.
Full calculator with 756 models → Price Calculator
These numbers get smaller with the right architecture.
We route routine calls to cheap models and save OpenAI: o3 for the hard ones. Most clients cut their estimate by 60-80%.
Talk to our teamAbout OpenAI: o3
o3 is a well-rounded and powerful model across domains. It sets a new standard for math, science, coding, and visual reasoning tasks. It also excels at technical writing and instruction-following..
Frequently asked questions about OpenAI: o3
How much does OpenAI: o3 cost?
OpenAI: o3 costs $2.00 per million input tokens and $8.00 per million output tokens.
What is the context window of OpenAI: o3?
OpenAI: o3 has a context window of 200,000 tokens (200K).
What can OpenAI: o3 do?
OpenAI: o3 supports image/vision input, tool use, and function calling.
Who created OpenAI: o3?
OpenAI: o3 is developed by OpenAI and was released on April 16, 2025.