Agentic software development
Work across repositories, terminals and development tools on longer coding, debugging, migration and review tasks.
Independent tool overview
GPT 5.5 at a glance
GPT-5.5 is an OpenAI reasoning model for complex coding, computer use, research and professional workflows, with a 1.05-million-token API context window and broad Responses API tool support.
Visit the official GPT 5.5 site ↗
- Developer
- OpenAI
- Released
- April 23, 2026
- Best for
- Agentic coding and complex professional work
- API context
- 1,050,000 tokens
- Maximum output
- 128,000 tokens
- Current status
- Available; succeeded as latest by GPT-5.6
Overview
What GPT 5.5 is
GPT-5.5 was OpenAI's April 2026 frontier release for tasks that require sustained reasoning and action across tools. It can write and debug code, browse and research, analyze files and data, operate computer interfaces, create documents and continue through multi-step work with less step-by-step direction.
For developers, the standard model supports configurable reasoning effort, image input, function calling, structured outputs and OpenAI-hosted tools such as web search, file search, code interpreter, shell, computer use, skills and MCP. Its 1.05-million-token context window is useful for large repositories and document collections, though long-context requests above 272,000 input tokens receive higher pricing.
GPT-5.5 remains available in the API, but GPT-5.6 has replaced it as OpenAI's latest frontier generation. New projects should compare the two on representative work; GPT-5.5 remains relevant when an existing evaluation, snapshot or cost profile favors it.
Use cases
Who GPT 5.5 is best for
The strongest fit depends on the job you need the product to complete, not the size of its feature list.
Computer-based knowledge work
Research online, analyze documents and data, create work products and move across software to complete a defined outcome.
Large-context analysis
Reason over substantial codebases or document collections that do not fit into smaller model contexts.
Tool-using applications
Build Responses API agents that combine function calls with hosted search, files, code execution, computer use or MCP tools.
Capabilities
Core GPT 5.5 features
Configurable reasoning
The standard API model supports none, low, medium, high and xhigh reasoning effort so applications can tune depth and latency.
1.05M context window
Large input capacity supports long repositories, extensive histories and document-heavy workflows, with a 128K maximum output.
Agentic coding tools
GPT-5.5 can use hosted shell, apply-patch and skills capabilities alongside ordinary function calls.
Research and data tools
Responses API support includes web search, file search and code interpreter for grounded analysis and computation.
Computer use and MCP
The standard model can operate computer interfaces and connect to external systems through Model Context Protocol tools.
Stable snapshots
Developers can use the dated gpt-5.5-2026-04-23 snapshot when consistent model behavior matters.
Process
How the GPT 5.5 workflow works
Step 1
Define the task and acceptance checks
Give the model a concrete outcome, relevant context, allowed tools and a way to verify completion.
Step 2
Start with standard GPT-5.5
Use the normal model and medium reasoning as a baseline before paying for higher effort or the Pro model.
Step 3
Provide tools with narrow permissions
Expose only the files, systems and actions the workflow needs, with approval gates around irreversible changes.
Step 4
Measure quality, cost and latency
Run representative evaluations and track token usage, retries, tool failures and human corrections.
Step 5
Pin or upgrade deliberately
Use a dated snapshot for stability, or compare GPT-5.6 before moving production traffic to the newer generation.
Cost
GPT 5.5 pricing and free plan
GPT-5.5 and GPT-5.5 Pro are priced by API tokens. ChatGPT access is included in eligible plans with plan-specific usage limits. Batch and Flex can reduce standard GPT-5.5 rates, while Priority processing and very long prompts cost more.
ChatGPT GPT-5.5 Instant
Included in ChatGPT
The faster GPT-5.5 experience for everyday ChatGPT work.
- Available across ChatGPT plans
- Usage limits depend on the plan
- Designed for faster everyday responses
ChatGPT GPT-5.5 Thinking and Pro
Eligible paid plans
Higher-reasoning options for more difficult work inside ChatGPT.
- Thinking is available to Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise
- GPT-5.5 Pro is available to Pro, Business and Enterprise
- Plan limits and workspace controls apply
GPT-5.5 API
$5 input / $0.50 cached / $30 output per 1M tokens
Standard API model with streaming and the broadest GPT-5.5 tool support.
- Batch and Flex rates are half the standard token rate
- Priority processing is priced at 2.5 times standard
- Inputs above 272K tokens trigger 2x input and 1.5x output pricing for the session
- Regional processing adds a 10% uplift
GPT-5.5 Pro API
$30 input / $180 output per 1M tokens
Higher-compute version for difficult tasks where marginal accuracy is worth added cost and latency.
- Responses API and Batch API
- No cached-input discount
- Requests may take several minutes
- Does not support every tool available in standard GPT-5.5
Pricing checked . Check current pricing at the source ↗
Assessment
GPT 5.5 strengths and limitations
Where it stands out
- Strong fit for long-running coding and professional workflows
- Very large context and output limits
- Broad hosted-tool support in the standard API model
- Configurable reasoning effort allows quality and latency tuning
- Dated snapshot supports reproducible production behavior
What to consider
- GPT-5.6 is now OpenAI's latest frontier model, so new deployments should compare it directly
- Standard API pricing is higher than GPT-5.4 and smaller model families
- Prompts above 272K tokens receive a substantial long-context surcharge
- GPT-5.5 Pro is expensive, can take minutes and lacks some standard-model tools
- Audio and video are not supported as direct model modalities
- Fine-tuning is not supported
- Outputs and autonomous actions still require evaluation, monitoring and human controls for high-stakes work
Compare
GPT 5.5 alternatives
The right alternative depends on the specific output, workflow, controls and budget your project requires.
Consumer
GPT 5.4
Choose GPT-5.4 when a lower API price matters more than GPT-5.5's capability gains.
Explore GPT 5.4 →Consumer
Claude Opus 4.7
Compare Claude Opus 4.7 for difficult coding and agentic workflows in Anthropic's ecosystem.
Explore Claude Opus 4.7 →Consumer
Gemini 3.1 Pro
Compare Gemini 3.1 Pro for frontier reasoning and Google ecosystem integrations.
Explore Gemini 3.1 Pro →Questions
GPT 5.5 FAQs
What is GPT-5.5?
GPT-5.5 is an OpenAI model for complex coding, research, data analysis, computer use and professional workflows that require sustained reasoning and tool use.
Is GPT-5.5 still available?
Yes. GPT-5.5 and GPT-5.5 Pro remain listed in OpenAI's API model catalog with active aliases and dated snapshots, although GPT-5.6 is now the latest generation.
How much does the GPT-5.5 API cost?
Standard GPT-5.5 costs $5 per million input tokens, $0.50 per million cached input tokens and $30 per million output tokens. Long prompts, Priority processing, regional processing and tool calls can add cost.
What is the GPT-5.5 context window?
The API model supports 1,050,000 context tokens and up to 128,000 output tokens. Requests with more than 272,000 input tokens receive higher token pricing for the full session.
What is the difference between GPT-5.5 and GPT-5.5 Pro?
GPT-5.5 Pro uses more compute for harder questions and is priced at $30 per million input tokens and $180 per million output tokens. It can be slower and does not support computer use, apply patch or skills in the API.
Does GPT-5.5 support computer use?
The standard GPT-5.5 model supports OpenAI's computer-use tool in the Responses API. GPT-5.5 Pro does not list computer use as supported.
Should a new project use GPT-5.5 or GPT-5.6?
Start by evaluating GPT-5.6 because it is newer, but keep GPT-5.5 in the comparison when you already have strong results, need its dated snapshot or prefer its measured cost and latency profile.
Bottom line
Our GPT 5.5 verdict
GPT-5.5 remains a capable production model for agentic coding, large-context analysis and tool-heavy professional work. Its main advantages are breadth and maturity: a large context, many hosted tools and a stable snapshot. Since GPT-5.6 has arrived, GPT-5.5 should now earn its place through evaluations rather than being chosen merely because it was once the flagship.
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