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GPT-5.6 Terra vs Claude Sonnet 5

GPT-5.6 Terra is the lower-priced of the two on Router One at base-tier rates (GPT-5.6 Terra: request input ≤ 272,000 tokens) — about 68% less on a 1M-input + 1M-output mix. Both carry a 1.05M context window. GPT-5.6 Terra answers on /v1/chat/completions and /v1/responses (Codex CLI); Claude Sonnet 5 on /v1/chat/completions and /v1/messages (Claude Code).

GPT-5.6 Terra and Claude Sonnet 5 compared on current per-token rates, context window, and capabilities — both callable through one OpenAI-compatible endpoint with per-request cost traces.

GPT-5.6 Terra vs Claude Sonnet 5: rates, context window, and capabilities

SpecGPT-5.6 TerraClaude Sonnet 5
Input / 1M tokens$0.25$0.90
Output / 1M tokens$1.50$4.50
Cached input / 1M tokens$0.125$0.15
Context window1.05M1.05M
CapabilitiesChat, Streaming, Tool calling, VisionChat, Streaming, Tool calling, Vision
Subscription plansMid-tier models — Pro, Max, UltraMid-tier models — Pro, Max, Ultra
Detail pageGPT-5.6 TerraClaude Sonnet 5

GPT-5.6 Terra: request input ≤ 272,000 tokens: Input $0.25 / 1M tokens, Output $1.50 / 1M tokens, Cache write $0.25 / 1M tokens, Cached input $0.125 / 1M tokens; request input > 272,000 tokens: Input $0.50 / 1M tokens, Output $2.25 / 1M tokens, Cache write $0.50 / 1M tokens, Cached input $0.25 / 1M tokens. The total input tokens in each request select the tier; its rates apply to the whole request, not only tokens above the threshold.

What does 1M tokens cost on GPT-5.6 Terra vs Claude Sonnet 5?

Base-tier rates: For a workload of 1M input plus 1M output tokens at current rates: GPT-5.6 Terra comes to $1.75, Claude Sonnet 5 comes to $5.40 — GPT-5.6 Terra is about 68% cheaper on this mix. Real workloads skew heavily toward input tokens, so weigh the input rate by your own ratio; the cached-input row above is the posted catalog rate for that model.

Switch between GPT-5.6 Terra and Claude Sonnet 5

Both models answer on /v1/chat/completions, so an A/B test there is a one-string change — same key, same code, and every request traced with tokens, cost, and latency in the dashboard. Claude Code uses /v1/messages, which Router One lists for Claude Sonnet 5 but not GPT-5.6 Terra; Codex CLI uses /v1/responses, which Router One lists for GPT-5.6 Terra but not Claude Sonnet 5 — so in those tools, switch the tool (or call /v1/chat/completions), not only the model string.

compare.sh
curl https://api.router.one/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-your-router-one-key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"model": "openai/gpt-5.6-terra", "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}]}'

# Same request, other model — change one string:
#   "model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5"

FAQ

Is GPT-5.6 Terra cheaper than Claude Sonnet 5?

Compared at base-tier rates (GPT-5.6 Terra: request input ≤ 272,000 tokens). Input: GPT-5.6 Terra $0.25 vs Claude Sonnet 5 $0.90 / 1M tokens; GPT-5.6 Terra has the lower rate. Output: GPT-5.6 Terra $1.50 vs Claude Sonnet 5 $4.50 / 1M tokens; GPT-5.6 Terra has the lower rate. Total cost depends on the workload's input, output and cache usage. GPT-5.6 Terra: request input ≤ 272,000 tokens: Input $0.25 / 1M tokens, Output $1.50 / 1M tokens, Cache write $0.25 / 1M tokens, Cached input $0.125 / 1M tokens; request input > 272,000 tokens: Input $0.50 / 1M tokens, Output $2.25 / 1M tokens, Cache write $0.50 / 1M tokens, Cached input $0.25 / 1M tokens. The total input tokens in each request select the tier; its rates apply to the whole request, not only tokens above the threshold. Rates change; the /models page is the live source of truth.

Is GPT-5.6 Terra or Claude Sonnet 5 included in a Router One subscription?

GPT-5.6 Terra and Claude Sonnet 5 both count against the Mid-tier models allowance on Pro, Max and Ultra: Pro 1,200, Max 4,500 and Ultra 15,000 requests per 30-day cycle, one pool shared by every model in that tier. Requests to GPT-5.6 Terra or Claude Sonnet 5 above the model's long-context threshold count as more than one quota request. Requests beyond a plan's allowance bill the wallet per token.

Can I switch between GPT-5.6 Terra and Claude Sonnet 5 without changing code?

On /v1/chat/completions, yes — change the model string; the key and base URL stay the same. Claude Code uses /v1/messages, which Router One lists for Claude Sonnet 5 but not GPT-5.6 Terra; Codex CLI uses /v1/responses, which Router One lists for GPT-5.6 Terra but not Claude Sonnet 5 — so in those tools, switch the tool (or call /v1/chat/completions), not only the model string.

Where do these numbers come from?

Specs and prices on this page render from the live Router One catalog — the same data as the /models page — and refresh with it. Pricing methodology is documented on /pricing-methodology. Rates on this page were read from the live catalog on 2026-11-05 (UTC) and refresh within the hour.

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