A top-tier xAI model excelling in complex reasoning, offering exceptional speed and a large context window, with competitive pricing from its native provider.
Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) stands out as a formidable model from xAI, designed for demanding analytical tasks. It consistently ranks among the top performers in intelligence benchmarks, demonstrating a strong capacity for complex problem-solving and nuanced understanding. This model combines its intellectual prowess with impressive operational speed, making it a compelling choice for applications requiring both depth and efficiency. While its pricing structure is generally competitive, especially when sourced directly from xAI, users should be mindful of its notable verbosity, which can influence overall cost.
Scoring an impressive 57 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) significantly surpasses the average model score of 36, placing it at #13 out of 134 models evaluated. This high ranking underscores its advanced capabilities in processing and generating insightful responses. However, its performance on this index also revealed a high degree of verbosity, generating 110 million tokens compared to an average of 30 million. This characteristic, while indicative of thoroughness, requires careful consideration for cost-sensitive applications.
From a pricing perspective, Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) offers a nuanced value proposition. The input token price is $0.30 per 1 million tokens, which is somewhat above the average of $0.25, positioning it as moderately expensive for ingesting data. Conversely, its output token price of $0.50 per 1 million tokens is quite competitive, falling below the average of $0.80. The blended price from xAI is particularly attractive at $0.35 per million tokens. The total cost to evaluate Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) on the Intelligence Index amounted to $73.83, reflecting the balance of its token pricing and the volume of tokens generated.
Beyond its core intelligence and pricing, Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) boasts an average output speed of 177.8 tokens per second, securing its position as a notably fast model at #22 out of 134. It supports text input and is capable of generating both text and image outputs, offering versatility for multimodal applications. Furthermore, its substantial 1 million token context window allows for the processing of extensive inputs, enabling deeper contextual understanding and more comprehensive responses, which is crucial for complex reasoning tasks.
57 (#13 / 134)
177.8 tokens/s
$0.30 $/M tokens
$0.50 $/M tokens
110M tokens
0.35 s
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Owner | xAI |
| License | Proprietary |
| Context Window | 1M tokens |
| Input Modalities | Text |
| Output Modalities | Text, Image |
| Intelligence Index Score | 57 (Rank #13 / 134) |
| Average Output Speed | 177.8 tokens/s (Rank #22 / 134) |
| Input Token Price | $0.30 / 1M tokens (Rank #79 / 134) |
| Output Token Price | $0.50 / 1M tokens (Rank #36 / 134) |
| Verbosity (Intelligence Index) | 110M tokens (Rank #97 / 134) |
| Lowest Latency Observed | 0.35s (via Azure) |
| Total Evaluation Cost | $73.83 (for Intelligence Index) |
Choosing the right API provider for Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) can significantly impact performance and cost. While xAI offers the native and often most balanced option, other providers like Microsoft Azure can excel in specific areas such as latency.
Consider your primary objective – whether it's raw speed, minimal latency, or the lowest possible cost – to make an informed decision from the available providers.
| Priority | Pick | Why | Tradeoff to accept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest Blended Price | xAI | Offers the lowest overall cost at $0.35/M tokens, with competitive input and output pricing. | Slightly higher latency (0.52s) compared to Azure. |
| Highest Output Speed | xAI Fast | Achieves the fastest output speed at 193 t/s, ideal for high-throughput needs. | Significantly higher blended price ($1.45/M tokens) and output token price ($4.00/M tokens). |
| Lowest Latency | Azure | Provides the quickest time to first token at 0.35s, crucial for real-time interactions. | Higher blended price and lower output speed (133 t/s) compared to xAI. |
| Lowest Input Token Price | xAI | Offers the best input token price at $0.30/M tokens. | Input price is still slightly above the market average. |
| Lowest Output Token Price | xAI | Provides the most economical output tokens at $0.50/M tokens. | Output price from xAI Fast is considerably higher. |
| Balanced Performance | xAI | A strong all-rounder, balancing good speed (179 t/s), reasonable latency (0.52s), and the best overall pricing. | Not the absolute fastest or lowest latency option available. |
Note: Blended prices are calculated based on a 50/50 input/output token split. Actual costs may vary based on your specific usage patterns.
Understanding the real-world cost implications of Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) requires looking beyond raw token prices. Its high verbosity, while contributing to thoroughness, can significantly impact the total cost for various applications. Below are estimated costs for common scenarios, assuming a 50/50 input/output token split and using xAI's blended pricing ($0.35/M tokens).
These estimates provide a practical perspective on how Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high)'s characteristics translate into operational expenses for different use cases.
| Scenario | Input | Output | What it represents | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complex Document Analysis | 100k tokens (e.g., legal brief) | 250k tokens (detailed summary, Q&A) | Analyzing and summarizing large, intricate documents. | $0.12 |
| Advanced Code Generation | 50k tokens (complex requirements) | 150k tokens (multi-file code, explanations) | Generating extensive, well-commented code for specific functionalities. | $0.07 |
| Creative Content Generation | 20k tokens (detailed prompt) | 80k tokens (long-form article, story) | Producing verbose, high-quality creative content or marketing copy. | $0.03 |
| Research & Synthesis | 75k tokens (multiple research papers) | 200k tokens (synthesized report, insights) | Consolidating information from various sources into a comprehensive report. | $0.10 |
| Customer Support Automation | 5k tokens (complex query history) | 15k tokens (detailed resolution, follow-up) | Handling intricate customer inquiries requiring extensive context and detailed responses. | $0.007 |
| Educational Content Creation | 30k tokens (curriculum outline) | 100k tokens (lesson plans, explanations) | Developing detailed educational materials or interactive learning modules. | $0.04 |
Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high)'s cost-effectiveness is highly dependent on the verbosity required by the task. For applications where detailed, extensive outputs are valuable, its competitive output token price from xAI can make it a strong contender, despite its higher input cost. However, for tasks where conciseness is paramount, careful prompt engineering to manage output length will be crucial to optimize costs.
Optimizing costs for Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) involves strategic choices in provider selection, prompt engineering, and output management. Given its high intelligence and verbosity, a thoughtful approach can significantly enhance its cost-effectiveness without compromising performance.
Here are key strategies to help you manage and reduce your operational expenses while leveraging the full power of this advanced model.
Choosing the right API provider is paramount for cost optimization, as pricing can vary significantly.
Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) is notably verbose. Controlling output length through prompt engineering is crucial for cost management.
Even with careful prompting, some verbosity might occur. Implement strategies to manage and process outputs efficiently.
For non-real-time applications, batching requests can improve efficiency and potentially reduce costs.
Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) is best suited for applications requiring advanced analytical capabilities, complex problem-solving, detailed content generation, and deep contextual understanding. Its high intelligence score and large context window make it ideal for tasks like legal document analysis, scientific research synthesis, advanced code generation, and intricate customer support.
Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) scores 57 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, placing it significantly above the average model score of 36 and ranking it #13 out of 134 models. This indicates superior performance in reasoning and understanding compared to most comparable models.
The primary cost considerations are its somewhat expensive input token price ($0.30/M tokens) and its high verbosity (110M tokens generated during evaluation). While its output token price ($0.50/M tokens) is competitive, the sheer volume of output can drive up costs. Strategic provider choice (xAI offers the best blended price) and careful prompt engineering to control output length are crucial for cost optimization.
Yes, Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) supports multimodal output, meaning it can generate both text and image content. This capability enhances its versatility for applications requiring visual elements alongside textual explanations or creative outputs.
Grok 3 mini Reasoning (high) features a substantial 1 million token context window. This allows the model to process and retain a vast amount of information within a single interaction, enabling more coherent, contextually aware, and comprehensive responses for complex tasks.
Performance varies by provider based on your priority:
Yes, it can be suitable for real-time applications, especially when using providers like Azure which offer very low latency (0.35s). Its high output speed also contributes to quick response times. However, for extremely latency-sensitive scenarios, careful benchmarking with your specific workload and chosen provider is recommended.