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GPT-4.1 vs GPT-4.1 nano

Head-to-head comparison across 2benchmark categories. Overall scores shown here use BenchLM's provisional ranking lane.

Sibling matchup inside the GPT-4.1 family.

GPT-4.1

57

VS

GPT-4.1 nano

27

2 categoriesvs0 categories

GPT-4.1 makes more sense if knowledge is the priority, while GPT-4.1 nano is the cleaner fit if you want the cheaper token bill.

Category Radar

Head-to-Head by Category

Category Breakdown

Knowledge

GPT-4.1
66.3vs50.3

+16.0 difference

Inst. Following

GPT-4.1
87.4vs83.2

+4.2 difference

Operational Comparison

GPT-4.1

GPT-4.1 nano

Price (per 1M tokens)

$2 / $8

$0.1 / $0.4

Speed

108 t/s

181 t/s

Latency (TTFT)

1.02s

0.63s

Context Window

1M

1M

Quick Verdict

GPT-4.1 makes more sense if knowledge is the priority, while GPT-4.1 nano is the cleaner fit if you want the cheaper token bill.

GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 nano sit in the same GPT-4.1 family. This page is less about two unrelated model lineages and more about how the siblings trade off on benchmark shape, token costs, and practical limits like context window.

GPT-4.1 is clearly ahead on the provisional aggregate, 57 to 27. The gap is large enough that you do not need to squint at the spreadsheet to see the difference.

GPT-4.1's sharpest advantage is in knowledge, where it averages 66.3 against 50.3. The single biggest benchmark swing on the page is GPQA, 66.3% to 50.3%.

GPT-4.1 is also the more expensive model on tokens at $2.00 input / $8.00 output per 1M tokens, versus $0.10 input / $0.40 output per 1M tokens for GPT-4.1 nano. That is roughly 20.0x on output cost alone.

Benchmark Deep Dive

Frequently Asked Questions (3)

Which is better, GPT-4.1 or GPT-4.1 nano?

GPT-4.1 and GPT-4.1 nano are sibling variants in the GPT-4.1 family, so the right pick depends on whether you value the better benchmark line, cheaper tokens, or the larger context window. GPT-4.1 is ahead on BenchLM's provisional leaderboard 57 to 27.

Which is better for knowledge tasks, GPT-4.1 or GPT-4.1 nano?

GPT-4.1 has the edge for knowledge tasks in this comparison, averaging 66.3 versus 50.3. Inside this category, AA-Omniscience Index is the benchmark that creates the most daylight between them.

Which is better for instruction following, GPT-4.1 or GPT-4.1 nano?

GPT-4.1 has the edge for instruction following in this comparison, averaging 87.4 versus 83.2. Inside this category, AA-IFBench is the benchmark that creates the most daylight between them.

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Last updated: June 2, 2026

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