OpenAI API launches GPT-5.4 at $2.50/M tokens, adds Containers tool
What happened
Between the Dec 29, 2025 and Mar 23, 2026 captures of OpenAI's pricing page, Pulse recorded 2 changes: OpenAI API pricing page fully restructured: flagship models replaced by GPT-5.4 generation ($2.50/$15 per 1M tokens), replacing GPT-5.2 ($1.75/$14) and GPT-5.2 pro/GPT-5 mini; fine-tuning, Realtime, Image Gen API sections removed; Containers tool added: run code in secure environments at 1 GB for $0.03 / 64 GB for $1.92 per container; transitioning to per 20-minute session billing starting March 31, 2026. Pulse files it as a packaging change (packaging change, new add-on). Pulse's latest capture (Nov 9, 2026) lists gpt-image-2.5-flare at $2 per 1M cached image input tokens + $30 per 1M image output tokens, gpt-6.1-sol at $0.20 per 1M cached input tokens (long context) + $2 per 1M input tokens (short context), gpt-6-luna at $0.25 per 1M cache write tokens (long context) + $0.20 per 1M input tokens (long context), gpt-5.6-sol at $30 per 1M output tokens (long context) + $8 per 1M input tokens (long context) and gpt-6-astra at $20 per 1M input tokens (long context) + $1 per 1M cached input tokens (short context).
This quarterly roll-up includes 4 changes Pulse first recorded in a shorter period: "Openai API triples GPT-5 mini pricing, launches budget nano tier" (week of Mar 16, 2026, saved Mar 23, 2026), "Openai API adds Sora-2-pro HD video tier at $0.70/second" (week of Mar 9, 2026, saved Mar 16, 2026) and "Openai API launches GPT-5.4, adds 10% data residency surcharge" (week of Mar 2, 2026, saved Mar 9, 2026) and 1 more. They are the same changes, not new ones. Before that, OpenAI's previous recorded change was "Openai API Implements 40% Price Increase for GPT-5.2 Output and Input Tokens, Renames GPT-5 to GPT-5.2" (Jan 12, 2026). OpenAI has been tracked since 2023-11-14.
In the same window Anthropic, Microsoft, Metabase and X also changed their AI & Machine Learning pricing pages. Those moves are listed further down, and the Pulse Agent can compare them side by side.
- Packaging changeOpenAI APIPackaging
OpenAI API pricing page fully restructured: flagship models replaced by GPT-5.4 generation ($2.50/$15 per 1M tokens), replacing GPT-5.2 ($1.75/$14) and GPT-5.2 pro/GPT-5 mini; fine-tuning, Realtime, Image Gen API sections removed.
- AddedContainersAdd-onNot listedContainers tool
| Plan | Field | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI API | Packaging | OpenAI API pricing page fully restructured: flagship models replaced by GPT-5.4 generation ($2.50/$15 per 1M tokens), replacing GPT-5.2 ($1.75/$14) and GPT-5.2 pro/GPT-5 mini; fine-tuning, Realtime, Image Gen API sections removed. | Packaging change | |
| Containers | Add-on | Not listed | Containers tool | Added |
Values as written on OpenAI's public pricing page in the two captures Pulse compared; where the page states no number, the cells give the wording before and after.
Evidence
The two captures Pulse comparedFull-page captures of OpenAI's pricing page (openai.com) from Dec 29, 2025 and Mar 23, 2026; the change is marked near the top of the page, where Containers tool now appears.
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The two full-page captures with this change marked up are free with an account.
OpenAI, the last 90 days
Full history- Apr 27, 2026Price decreaseOpenai API cuts image output pricing, launches GPT-image-2
- Apr 6, 2026PackagingOpenAI API launches GPT-5.4 at $2.50/M tokens, adds Containers tool This change
- Apr 2, 2026Price decreaseOpenai API slashes web search tool price 60% to $10 per 1k calls
- Mar 24, 2026PackagingOpenai API triples GPT-5 mini pricing, launches budget nano tier
- Mar 18, 2026PackagingOpenai API adds Sora-2-pro HD video tier at $0.70/second
- Mar 10, 2026Price increaseOpenai API launches GPT-5.4, adds 10% data residency surcharge
- Feb 18, 2026Price increaseOpenai API shifts Containers to per-session billing starting March 31
- Jan 12, 2026PackagingOpenai API Implements 40% Price Increase for GPT-5.2 Output and Input Tokens, Renames GPT-5 to GPT-5.2
Across AI & Machine Learning in the same window
All AI & Machine Learning changes- AnthropicApr 7Anthropic API rolls out tiered pricing for Opus 4.6 by context length
- MicrosoftApr 7Microsoft Copilot softens AI usage promises, tightens renewal terms
- MetabaseApr 4Metabase Launches Data Studio and Storage Add-Ons, Expands Free AI Access
- XFeb 18X adds real-time voice AI, drops structured outputs from API
Questions about this change
Did OpenAI raise prices in March 2026?
No list-price increase was recorded between Dec 29, 2025 and Mar 23, 2026. The change Pulse detected was a packaging change: packaging change, new add-on.
What changed on OpenAI's pricing page between Dec 29, 2025 and Mar 23, 2026?
OpenAI API pricing page fully restructured: flagship models replaced by GPT-5.4 generation ($2.50/$15 per 1M tokens), replacing GPT-5.2 ($1.75/$14) and GPT-5.2 pro/GPT-5 mini; fine-tuning, Realtime, Image Gen API sections removed; Containers add-on added: Containers tool. Pulse compared the captures it took on Dec 29, 2025 and Mar 23, 2026; the before/after table above lists each item as written on the page.
How often does OpenAI change its pricing?
This quarterly roll-up includes 4 changes Pulse first recorded in shorter periods, not new ones; Pulse recorded 2 other pricing-page changes for OpenAI in the 90 days before this one; the previous change was "Openai API Implements 40% Price Increase for GPT-5.2 Output and Input Tokens, Renames GPT-5 to GPT-5.2" on Jan 12, 2026; OpenAI has been tracked since 2023-11-14.