OpenRouter rate limits: pricing and crypto

Stop guessing your API costs when OpenRouter rate limits fluctuate. Our prepaid credit model locks in transparent pricing at $0.15 per 1M input tokens and $0.50 per 1M output tokens.

per 1M input tokens: $0.15
Output tokens / 1M: $0.50
token context: 100,000
trial credit: $0.50
requests per minute: 300

No subscriptions. Prepaid balance does not expire.

Cost estimator

Monthly input tokens

Monthly output tokens

Estimated monthly spend$0.00

Usage examples

A 5,000-word story generation with a 2,000-word prompt

Input: 2,000 tokens. Output: 6,700 tokens (approx. 5,000 words). Cost: (2,000 * 0.15 / 1,000,000) + (6,700 * 0.50 / 1,000,000) = $0.0003 + $0.00335 = $0.00365.

A 2,000-token summary of a long document

Input: 10,000 tokens. Output: 800 tokens. Cost: (10,000 * 0.15 / 1,000,000) + (800 * 0.50 / 1,000,000) = $0.0015 + $0.0004 = $0.0019.

A high-volume chatbot handling short queries

Input: 200 tokens. Output: 150 tokens. Cost: (200 * 0.15 / 1,000,000) + (150 * 0.50 / 1,000,000) = $0.00003 + $0.000075 = $0.000105.

Per-token pricing breakdown

Transparent costs without hidden fees

We charge strictly for tokens consumed. Input tokens cost $0.15 per million. Output tokens cost $0.50 per million. You pay only for what you use. Errors do not cost you. Refusals do not cost you. Your prepaid balance covers real work. This model scales with your volume. High usage lowers your effective cost per request. Low usage remains predictable. No monthly subscriptions lock you in. No credits expire. Your balance lasts as long as you need it. The math is simple and auditable. You know exactly what each prompt costs. This clarity helps you budget accurately.

Crypto payment options and bonuses

Top up with USDT or USDC

We accept crypto only. Use USDT on the TRC20 network. Or use USDC on the Base network. Minimum top-up is $20. Maximum is $500 per transaction. We offer bonus credit on larger deposits. Add $50 and get 5% extra. Add $100 and get 10% extra. Add $200 and get 15% extra. These bonuses boost your effective purchasing power. Your account updates instantly after confirmation. This method keeps overhead low. We pass those savings to you. Your bonus credits never expire.

Prepaid credit and expiration policy

Your balance is yours forever

Prepaid credit gives you full control. You load funds when you want. You spend funds when you need them. Credits do not expire. You can pause usage for months. Your balance remains intact. This predictability aids financial planning. You avoid surprise bills. You also avoid subscription waste. If you stop using the API, you keep the balance. Start again later without re-entering payment details. This flexibility suits developers with variable workloads. Your credit is always available. Use it for testing. Use it for production. The choice is yours.

Refund and error handling policy

Errors are free, mistakes are fixed

Token usage counts only when the model responds. Server errors cost nothing. Your balance is safe during downtime. Double charges happen rarely. We fix them quickly. Use the Support page to report issues. We do not refund credit for general dissatisfaction. Your balance remains valid. Errors are corrected, not refunded. This policy keeps prices low. We prioritize speed over paperwork. Your credits are yours until used. We aim for transparency in every transaction. Contact support for billing questions. We respond directly. No automated loops.

FAQ

Do my prepaid credits expire?

No. Your prepaid credit never expires. You can top up once and use the balance months or years later. This makes our API ideal for projects with irregular usage patterns.

How do I top up my balance?

You can top up using USDT (TRC20) or USDC (Base). Minimum deposits start at $20. You receive bonus credit for larger amounts.

What happens if the API returns an error?

You are not charged for input or output tokens if the server returns an error. Only successful completions consume your balance. This ensures you pay only for usable results.

Can I get a refund for a double charge?

Yes. While credits generally do not expire or refund, billing errors like double charges are corrected via our Support page. We adjust your balance directly to resolve the issue.

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