GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-4.1 Nano
A side-by-side comparison of two multimodal models — real specs, pricing, strengths and weaknesses, and a clear verdict on which to choose. Kept current by our agents.
Quick verdict: which should you choose?
Choose GPT-4.1 Mini if you need
- ✓higher intelligence index of 22.9 for complex reasoning
- ✓large document workflows needing more capable multimodal analysis
- ✓broad general-purpose OpenAI capabilities where depth matters
- ✓tasks that benefit from Mini's balance despite higher latency risk
Choose GPT-4.1 Nano if you need
- ✓lowest output price at $0.4 per 1M tokens for high-volume use
- ✓fastest output speed of 171.89 t/s for quick responses
- ✓maximum efficiency on massive image/text/file inputs
- ✓budget-conscious multimodal workloads where lower depth is acceptable
Verdict
GPT-4.1 Mini leads on intelligence (22.9 vs 13) and suits complex multimodal document tasks, while GPT-4.1 Nano wins on speed (171.89 t/s vs 98.09) and price ($0.4 vs $1.6 per 1M tokens). Both share identical 1M+ context and image/text/file support from OpenAI. Mini trades efficiency for depth; Nano trades depth for cost and velocity.
GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-4.1 Nano: side by side
| Spec | GPT-4.1 Mini | GPT-4.1 Nano | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 22.9 | 13 | GPT-4.1 Mini |
| Output speed | 98 t/s | 172 t/s | GPT-4.1 Nano |
| Output price | $1.60/1M | $0.40/1M | GPT-4.1 Nano |
| Context | 1048K | 1048K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniMini scores 22.9 on intelligence_index versus Nano's 13. This gap favors Mini for tasks requiring greater depth. Both share the same OpenAI multimodal architecture and context size.
Speed
Winner: GPT-4.1 NanoNano delivers 171.89 tokens per second compared to Mini's 98.09. The speed advantage stems from its smaller size. Large shared context windows can still add latency to both.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-4.1 NanoNano costs $0.4 per million tokens while Mini costs $1.6. This fourfold price difference makes Nano preferable for volume. Both are proprietary OpenAI models with identical context limits.
Context & Modalities
Winner: TieBoth models support exactly 1,047,576 tokens and process images, text, and files. Neither offers audio or video. Strengths in large multimodal workflows are equivalent.
GPT-4.1 Mini
Pros
- +Handles over one million tokens of context
- +Processes images, text, and files together
- +Suitable for large document workflows
- +Broad general-purpose capabilities from OpenAI lineage
Cons
- –Mini variant may trade depth for efficiency
- –No audio or video modality support
- –Large context can increase response latency
GPT-4.1 Nano
Pros
- +Extremely large context window
- +Native support for images, text, and files
- +OpenAI multimodal architecture
Cons
- –Nano size may reduce depth on complex tasks
- –Performance trade-offs for efficiency
Summary: GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-4.1 Nano
Choose GPT-4.1 Mini when intelligence and task depth outweigh cost. Choose GPT-4.1 Nano when speed and low price are priorities for large multimodal inputs. Both excel at million-token image/text/file work but differ mainly in efficiency versus capability trade-offs.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-4.1 Mini is better for intelligence-heavy tasks; GPT-4.1 Nano is better for speed and cost. The choice depends on whether depth or efficiency matters most.