name: OpenAI API FinOps
specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: OpenAI
providerId: openai
created: '2026-05-04'
# Provenance stamped 2026-08-11: this artifact was written by the API Evangelist
# bulk sweep dated 2026-05-04, not harvested from the provider. See roadmap#35.
method: generated
modified: '2026-05-22'
reconciled: true
tags:
  - FinOps
  - FOCUS
  - AI
  - Tokens
description: 'FOCUS-aligned FinOps for OpenAI: token-based metering across model tiers with batch and
  cached-input lanes.'
sources:
  - https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing
  - https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/rate-limits
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: OpenAI
serviceCategory: AI and Machine Learning
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Usage-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly
  billingCurrency: USD
  primaryUnit: token
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: OpenAI API
  ServiceCategory: AI and Machine Learning
  ProviderName: OpenAI
  PublisherName: OpenAI
  PricingUnit: MTok
meters:
  - name: input_tokens
    unit: token
    aggregation: sum
    dimensions:
      - model
      - project
      - user
      - cached
  - name: output_tokens
    unit: token
    aggregation: sum
    dimensions:
      - model
      - project
      - user
  - name: cached_input_tokens
    unit: token
    aggregation: sum
    dimensions:
      - model
  - name: image_generations
    unit: image
    aggregation: sum
  - name: audio_minutes
    unit: minute
    aggregation: sum
  - name: embeddings_tokens
    unit: token
    aggregation: sum
  - name: fine_tuning_training_tokens
    unit: token
    aggregation: sum
discountModels:
  - name: Cached input
    discount: ~10x cheaper than uncached
  - name: Batch API
    discount: 50% off
  - name: Flex tier
    discount: Reduced cost / lower priority
principles:
  - name: Visibility
    description: Use Usage dashboard and Cost Tracking API for per-project spend.
  - name: Allocation
    description: Use API keys per project; tag requests with metadata for chargeback.
  - name: Optimization
    description: Pick the smallest viable model, prompt-cache repeated content, batch async work.
  - name: Accountability
    description: Set per-project hard spend limits and email alerts.