Understanding Tokens
What is a Token?
A token is roughly ¾ of a word in English.
Every request consumes tokens:
- Your prompt
- The model's answer
Longer prompts and longer answers = more tokens.
How Tokens Are Used
Tokens are the fundamental unit of measurement for AI interactions. Understanding how they work helps you optimize your usage and costs.
Input Tokens
These are the tokens in your prompt, including:
- Your question or request
- Any context you provide
- Uploaded file contents
- Conversation history (in multi-turn chats)
Output Tokens
These are the tokens in the AI's response:
- The generated text
- Code samples
- Analysis and recommendations
Token Counting Examples
To help you estimate token usage:
| Content Type | Approximate Token Count |
|---|---|
| Short email reply | ~150-300 tokens |
| One page of text | ~500 tokens |
| Long report (10 pages) | ~5,000 tokens |
| Detailed analysis | ~1,000-2,000 tokens |
Estimation Rule
As a rough guide: 1 token ≈ 4 characters in English text, or about ¾ of a word.
Why Token Management Matters
Understanding tokens helps you:
- Optimize costs: Choose the right model and prompt length for each task
- Plan usage: Estimate how many tasks you can complete within your plan
- Avoid surprises: Stay within your monthly token allowance
Tips for Efficient Token Usage
- Be concise: Clear, focused prompts often work better than lengthy ones
- Choose the right model: Use smaller models for simple tasks
- Split large documents: Ask targeted questions instead of "summarize everything"
- Monitor usage: Check your dashboard regularly to track consumption
Pricing Notice
Per-token model prices are subject to change at any time, at our sole discretion, without prior notice. Refer to our Terms & Conditions for full details.
Next Steps
Learn about the different subscription plans and how to choose the right one for your needs.