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OpenAI cut GPT-5.6 Sol (gpt-5.6-sol) API prices, and LaoZhang API applied the new rates on September 10, 2026: standard requests now cost $4.00 per 1M input tokens and $20.00 per 1M output tokens. No code changes are needed.
  • Published: September 24, 2026
  • Last verified: September 24, 2026
  • Status: In effect. OpenAI says this promotional pricing lasts at least through November 21, 2026.

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Key facts

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GPT-5.6 Sol rates before and after the cut

Prices are in US dollars per 1M tokens, and each cell shows the old rate followed by the new one. Standard rates apply to requests with 272K input tokens or fewer. Long-context rates apply to requests with more than 272K input tokens. The table shows OpenAI’s rates before and after August 21, 2026. As of September 24, 2026, LaoZhang API’s public pricing for gpt-5.6-sol matches these new rates, with usage-based billing; see the model and pricing catalog. OpenAI bills cache writes at 1.25× the uncached input rate. Long-context pricing covers the whole request, not only the tokens above 272K. According to OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 Sol model page, a prompt with more than 272K input tokens is priced at 2× input and 1.5× output for the full request. On LaoZhang API, a request with more than 272K input tokens is billed at the long-context rates for everything in it: input, output, cache reads, and cache writes.

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Who is affected

Affected: anyone who calls gpt-5.6-sol through LaoZhang API. Requests have been billed at the new rates since the September 10, 2026 update. Requests sent before that update were billed at the rates in effect at the time. Not affected: gpt-5.6-luna and gpt-5.6-terra, which keep the rates set on July 30, 2026. The July 30 notice on the GPT-5.6 Luna and Terra price cut described Sol pricing as unchanged, which was accurate when it was published; this notice covers the later Sol change.

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What you need to do

  1. Keep your integration as it is. The price change needs no code changes.
  2. Update your cost estimates. Use the new standard rates for requests with 272K input tokens or fewer. If a request can exceed 272K input tokens, estimate the whole request at the long-context rates. OpenAI describes this pricing as promotional through at least November 21, 2026, so check the current rate again before you plan costs beyond that date.
  3. Verify your charges. Confirm the gpt-5.6-sol rates for your account on the console pricing page, then review recent requests in call logs.

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Frequently asked questions

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When did LaoZhang API start billing the new rates?

On September 10, 2026, when LaoZhang API updated its gpt-5.6-sol pricing. OpenAI’s new prices took effect on August 21, 2026. Requests sent to LaoZhang API before the September 10 update were billed at the rates in effect at the time, which were still the previous rates. Your call logs show the actual charge for each request. If you have a question about a specific charge, email hi@laozhang.ai with the request time and the call-log details. Do not include your API key.

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Will these rates continue after November 21, 2026?

OpenAI has not published pricing for after November 21, 2026. Its changelog says only that GPT-5.6 Sol’s promotional pricing is available at least through that date. Before you budget beyond that date, check the OpenAI API changelog, LaoZhang API announcements, and the current rate in the model and pricing catalog.

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Is only the part above 272K tokens billed at the long-context rate?

No. Once a single request has more than 272K input tokens, LaoZhang API bills the whole request, including output, cache reads, and cache writes, at the long-context rates in the table above. OpenAI likewise applies 2× input and 1.5× output pricing to the full request.

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Do I need to change my code, model ID, or API key?

No. Keep your API key, the https://api.laozhang.ai/v1 base URL, the gpt-5.6-sol model ID, and your request parameters. For client setup, see Use OpenAI models with LaoZhang API.

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How can I confirm that my requests use the new rates?

Work out the expected charge for one recent request and compare it with the actual charge:
  1. Pick a gpt-5.6-sol request sent after September 10, 2026 in your call logs.
  2. Work out its expected charge from its token counts and the rates on the console pricing page. Use the long-context rates if the request had more than 272K input tokens.
  3. Compare the result with the actual charge.
If they do not match, email hi@laozhang.ai with the request time and the call-log details.

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OpenAI

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LaoZhang API