Methodology

Every visible number should be traceable to an editable input, a dated provider source, or a clearly labelled assumption.

Price records

Each published rate record stores provider, model, meter, currency, price, source URL, effective date, verification date and a context note. We do not treat static list prices as a quote. Provider pages can change, contracts can differ and separate tool, storage or regional meters may apply.

Calculation logic

The calculator multiplies task volume by agent steps and token usage, applies the selected input, cached-input and output rates, then adds the supplied per-task allowances for tools, RAG, observability and human review. Retry rate is an explicit additive allowance. The displayed low-to-high range only reflects the planning-range percentage selected by the user; it is not a probability forecast.

What it excludes

It does not automatically include taxes, negotiated contracts, committed-use agreements, provider rounding, image or audio meters, model-specific hidden usage, human labour or every third-party tool. Add a custom rate or allowance when your terms differ.

Use this for transparent planning. Reconcile against provider usage and invoices before using it as a financial record.