text model comparison
GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5.6 Sol
GPT-5.5 and GPT-5.6 Sol are both current text models, from OpenAI. GPT-5.6 Sol is 20% cheaper per 1M input tokens than GPT-5.5, $4 vs $5. On Arena Text, GPT-5.5 scores 1482 Elo and GPT-5.6 Sol 1485 Elo (Arena, measured October 8, 2026). Both accept 1,050,000 tokens of context.
Data verified October 12, 2026 · Dataset 2026-10-12
Side by side
Standard-tier prices in effect today. The better value in each row is highlighted.
| Fact | GPT-5.5 | GPT-5.6 Sol |
|---|---|---|
| Price per 1M input tokens | $5 | $4 (better) |
| Price per 1M output tokens | $30 | $20 (better) |
| Cost of 10M input and 2M output tokens | $110 | $80 (better) |
| Arena Text | 1482 Elo (#13 of 39) | 1485 Elo (#10 of 39) (better) |
| GPQA Diamond | 90.7% (#21 of 37) | 93.5% (#11 of 37) (better) |
| FrontierMath Tiers 1-3 (v2) | 85.3% (#11 of 37) | 89.1% (#6 of 37) (better) |
| SimpleQA Verified | 63% (#13 of 34) | 69.7% (#7 of 34) (better) |
| LiveBench Overall | 79.91 points (#1 of 5) | Not measured |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Release date | April 23, 2026 | July 9, 2026 |
| Access | API only | API only |
| Context window | 1,050,000 tokens | 1,050,000 tokens |
| Max output | 128,000 tokens | 128,000 tokens |
| Input | text, image | text, image |
| Output | text | text |
Scores:Arena · 2026-10-12Epoch AI · 2026-10-12LiveBench · 2026-06-25
When to choose each
GPT-5.5
Best for
- High-capability API evaluations with long context
Watch out for
- Prompts above the provider long-context threshold use higher token rates; validate the selected reasoning effort against production cost
GPT-5.6 Sol
Best for
- Frontier capability evaluations for complex API workflows
- Long-horizon coding and research agents that use computer use or MCP tools
Watch out for
- Not in the pinned LiveBench snapshot; its independent scores here come from Epoch AI's own GPQA Diamond, FrontierMath and SimpleQA Verified runs
GPT-5.5 vs GPT-5.6 Sol FAQ
Which is cheaper, GPT-5.5 or GPT-5.6 Sol?
GPT-5.6 Sol is 20% cheaper per 1M input tokens than GPT-5.5, $4 vs $5. For 10M input and 2M output tokens, GPT-5.5 costs $110 and GPT-5.6 Sol $80 at standard rates.
Which scores higher on independent benchmarks, GPT-5.5 or GPT-5.6 Sol?
GPT-5.6 Sol leads on Arena Text, 1485 Elo to 1482 Elo; GPT-5.6 Sol leads on GPQA Diamond, 93.5% to 90.7%; GPT-5.6 Sol leads on FrontierMath Tiers 1-3 (v2), 89.1% to 85.3%. Scores are independent evaluations, not either vendor's launch figures.
Which has the larger context window, GPT-5.5 or GPT-5.6 Sol?
Both accept 1,050,000 tokens of context.
Related comparisons
Production evaluation
Choosing between GPT-5.5 and GPT-5.6 Sol?
Public benchmarks narrow the shortlist. We run both on your own tasks, data and cost limits, then build the routing and review controls to run the winner in production.
- A head-to-head evaluation on your real workload
- Routing between models by cost and difficulty