GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5 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
- ✓Need over one million tokens of context for large document or file workflows
- ✓Require the broadest general-purpose multimodal capabilities from the OpenAI lineage
- ✓Process combined image, text, and file inputs at the largest scale
Choose GPT-5 Nano if you need
- ✓Prioritize higher intelligence index and faster output speed
- ✓Want the lowest price per million tokens for cost-sensitive workloads
- ✓Need efficient handling of very large but not million-token contexts with quick responses
Verdict
GPT-5 Nano leads in raw intelligence (26.8 vs 22.9), speed (170 t/s vs 98 t/s), and price ($0.4 vs $1.6 per M tokens) while still supporting multimodal inputs. GPT-4.1 Mini counters with a dramatically larger context window (1M+ vs 400k tokens) suited to massive document workflows. The choice hinges on whether maximum context or efficiency and capability depth matter most.
GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5 Nano: side by side
| Spec | GPT-4.1 Mini | GPT-5 Nano | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 22.9 | 26.8 | GPT-5 Nano |
| Output speed | 98 t/s | 170 t/s | GPT-5 Nano |
| Output price | $1.60/1M | $0.40/1M | GPT-5 Nano |
| Context | 1048K | 400K | GPT-4.1 Mini |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5 NanoGPT-5 Nano scores 26.8 on the intelligence index compared to 22.9 for GPT-4.1 Mini. This gives Nano an edge in overall capability despite both being lightweight variants. GPT-4.1 Mini's mini design explicitly trades some depth for efficiency.
Speed & Pricing
Winner: GPT-5 NanoGPT-5 Nano delivers 170.06 tokens per second at $0.4 per million tokens. GPT-4.1 Mini runs at 98.09 t/s and costs $1.6 per million tokens. Nano therefore wins on both throughput and cost efficiency.
Context Window
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini supports 1,047,576 tokens versus 400,000 for GPT-5 Nano. This makes it the clear choice for million-token image and text tasks. GPT-5 Nano still handles very large contexts but cannot match the scale.
Multimodal Support
Winner: TieBoth models accept text, image, and file inputs and are positioned for document-oriented multimodal work. Neither lists audio or video support. Differences appear only in context size and efficiency rather than modality coverage.
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-5 Nano
Pros
- +Handles very large contexts efficiently
- +Supports text, image, and file inputs
- +Lightweight design for faster responses
- +Practical for extended document tasks
Cons
- –Lower capability depth than full-scale models
- –May struggle with highly complex reasoning
- –Trade-off in advanced task performance
Summary: GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5 Nano
Choose GPT-4.1 Mini when maximum context length is essential. Select GPT-5 Nano when intelligence, speed, and lower cost are the priority. Both remain proprietary OpenAI multimodal models with similar input types but different efficiency trade-offs.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5 Nano scores higher on intelligence and is faster and cheaper, while GPT-4.1 Mini offers a much larger context window; neither is universally better.