A field-by-field guide to AI API Cost: what to include, what to exclude, and how to avoid unit mistakes.
Inputs are the only “truth” the model sees. Clean input definitions make outputs like monthly cost and cost per user meaningful.
This guide helps you define input tokens, output tokens, requests per user, and active users so the calculator reflects your real scenario—not a spreadsheet fantasy.
Before typing, decide whether values are monthly, annual, per-unit, or per-order. Most errors come from mixing these silently.
If you’re unsure, re-run with a simpler scenario and confirm the output direction.
Key inputs: input tokens, output tokens, requests per user, and active users.
Be consistent about units (monthly vs annual) and scope (include fees/taxes if they exist in real life).
Compare outputs like monthly cost and cost per user across scenarios instead of trusting one number.
If the decision changes under downside assumptions, build a buffer or revise the plan.