A leading 30B parameter model optimized for coding tasks, offering exceptional intelligence and speed, albeit at a premium price point.
The Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct model stands out as a formidable contender in the realm of AI-powered code generation and analysis. Developed by Alibaba, this 30-billion parameter model is specifically fine-tuned for coding tasks, demonstrating a remarkable blend of intelligence, speed, and an expansive context window. Its performance metrics place it firmly among the elite, particularly for applications demanding deep understanding of codebases and rapid output generation.
Achieving a score of 33 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct significantly surpasses the average for comparable models, ranking #5 out of 55. This high intelligence score indicates its proficiency in complex coding challenges, code completion, debugging, and refactoring. Coupled with an impressive output speed of 99.1 tokens per second, it ensures that developers can receive timely and accurate assistance, accelerating development cycles and improving productivity.
One of the model's most compelling features is its massive 262k token context window. This allows it to process and understand extremely large code files, entire projects, or extensive documentation, providing a holistic view that is crucial for sophisticated coding tasks. This capability positions it as an invaluable tool for enterprise-level software development, where context is king.
However, this premium performance comes with a notable cost. With input tokens priced at $0.45 per 1M and output tokens at $2.25 per 1M, Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct is positioned at the higher end of the pricing spectrum, especially when compared to other open-weight, non-reasoning models of similar scale. Its tendency towards verbosity, generating 14M tokens during intelligence evaluations (slightly above the 13M average), can further contribute to increased operational expenses. Therefore, strategic provider selection and careful prompt engineering are essential to harness its power efficiently.
Despite the cost considerations, its open license and robust performance make it an attractive option for organizations prioritizing top-tier coding AI capabilities. The model supports text-in, text-out functionality, making it versatile for integration into various development workflows and tools.
33 (#5 / 55 / 30B)
99.1 tokens/s
$0.45 $/M tokens
$2.25 $/M tokens
14M tokens
0.24 s
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Owner | Alibaba |
| License | Open |
| Model Type | Coder, Instruct |
| Parameters | 30 Billion |
| Context Window | 262k tokens |
| Input Modality | Text |
| Output Modality | Text |
| Intelligence Index Score | 33 (#5 / 55) |
| Output Speed (Avg) | 99.1 tokens/s |
| Input Token Price (Avg) | $0.45 / 1M tokens |
| Output Token Price (Avg) | $2.25 / 1M tokens |
| Latency (TTFT, best) | 0.24s |
| Verbosity (on Index) | 14M tokens |
Selecting the right API provider for Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct is crucial for balancing performance and cost. Our analysis highlights significant differences across providers in terms of speed, latency, and pricing, allowing you to tailor your choice to specific project requirements.
The following table summarizes the strengths and tradeoffs of key providers, helping you make an informed decision based on your primary optimization goals.
| Priority | Pick | Why | Tradeoff to accept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Value | Nebius | Offers a strong balance of high output speed (127 t/s), competitive latency (0.57s), and very cost-effective blended pricing ($0.15/M tokens). | Not the absolute lowest latency, but excellent all-around performance. |
| Lowest Latency & Cost | Deepinfra (FP8) | Provides unparalleled low latency (0.24s) and the most cost-effective blended price ($0.12/M tokens), with very low input/output token costs. | Output speed (42 t/s) is significantly lower than other top providers, making it less ideal for high-throughput generation. |
| Balanced Performance | Amazon Bedrock | Delivers solid output speed (79 t/s) and competitive latency (0.57s) at a reasonable blended price ($0.26/M tokens). | Not the fastest or cheapest, but a reliable and widely accessible option with good performance consistency. |
| High Speed Alternative | Scaleway | Offers good output speed (80 t/s) and acceptable latency (0.66s), though at a higher blended price ($0.41/M tokens). | Higher cost compared to Nebius and Deepinfra, and not as fast as Nebius. |
| Direct Integration | Alibaba Cloud | Directly from the model's owner, offering 99 t/s output speed. | Significantly higher latency (1.63s) and the most expensive blended price ($0.90/M tokens) among the benchmarked providers. |
Note: Performance and pricing data are subject to change and may vary based on region, specific API configurations, and real-time network conditions. Always verify current rates and performance metrics with providers.
Understanding the real-world cost implications of Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct requires examining typical coding scenarios. Given its premium pricing, especially for output tokens, even seemingly small interactions can accumulate costs rapidly. The following examples illustrate estimated costs for common development tasks, using the average input price of $0.45/M tokens and output price of $2.25/M tokens.
| Scenario | Input | Output | What it represents | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code Generation (Small) | 500 tokens | 1,500 tokens | Generating a small function or code snippet based on a prompt. | $0.0036 |
| Code Generation (Large) | 2,000 tokens | 8,000 tokens | Creating a more complex component or script with detailed requirements. | $0.0189 |
| Debugging/Refactoring | 10,000 tokens | 3,000 tokens | Analyzing a large code block for bugs or suggesting refactoring improvements. | $0.0113 |
| Documentation Generation | 5,000 tokens | 5,000 tokens | Generating API documentation or comments for a medium-sized code module. | $0.0135 |
| Full File Analysis (Large Context) | 100,000 tokens | 2,000 tokens | Providing a high-level summary or feedback on an entire large source file. | $0.0495 |
| Complex Project Overview | 200,000 tokens | 5,000 tokens | Analyzing multiple related files within its large context window to provide architectural insights. | $0.0900 (Input) + $0.0113 (Output) = $0.1013 |
These examples highlight that while individual requests might seem inexpensive, frequent use, especially with verbose outputs or large context inputs, can lead to significant cumulative costs. Optimizing prompt length and managing output verbosity are critical for cost control.
Leveraging Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct's power without incurring excessive costs requires a strategic approach. Here are key strategies to optimize your usage and manage expenses effectively:
Crafting concise and effective prompts is paramount. Every input token costs, so clarity and brevity directly impact your bill.
The choice of API provider dramatically influences both performance and cost. Evaluate providers based on your primary needs.
While the 262k context window is powerful, using it judiciously is key to cost control, as input tokens are expensive.
Reduce the number of API calls and leverage previously generated content to save on costs and improve efficiency.
Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct is a 30-billion parameter large language model developed by Alibaba, specifically fine-tuned for coding-related tasks. It excels in code generation, analysis, debugging, and refactoring, offering high intelligence and speed with a very large context window.
It scores 33 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, placing it at #5 out of 55 models benchmarked. This indicates a significantly above-average intelligence level, particularly for complex coding challenges, making it a top performer in its category.
While highly intelligent and fast, it is considered expensive. With input tokens at $0.45/M and output tokens at $2.25/M, its pricing is on the higher side compared to many other open-weight models. Cost-effectiveness depends heavily on careful prompt engineering and strategic provider selection.
Its primary use cases include advanced code generation, automated debugging, intelligent code refactoring, comprehensive code review, and generating detailed technical documentation. Its large context window makes it ideal for handling extensive codebases.
For overall value (speed, latency, cost), Nebius is a strong contender. Deepinfra (FP8) offers the lowest latency and most cost-effective pricing, though with lower output speed. Amazon Bedrock provides a balanced and reliable option. Alibaba Cloud, while the owner, is generally more expensive and has higher latency.
Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct boasts an impressive 262k token context window. This allows it to process and understand very large amounts of information simultaneously, which is highly beneficial for complex coding tasks involving extensive code or documentation.
Yes, the model is released under an open license, providing flexibility for developers and organizations to integrate and utilize it within their applications and workflows without restrictive proprietary licensing terms.