AI Coding Cost & Token Burn Calculator (2026)
EyesTech Method Card · v1.0 · 7 September 2026
AI coding cost calculator
A cheaper model call can still produce more expensive work. Include failed attempts, tool bills and review time, then divide by the tasks you actually accepted.
Illustrative example loaded. Replace every value with your own batch totals. This is a transparent accounting tool, not a model benchmark. Entries stay in this page; this module does not send or persist them.
Estimate API spend from tokens (optional)
Use totals across the entire batch, including failed attempts and retries. If your subscription covered this usage, use actual extra API charges instead. Existing model presets are editable starting points, not a live price feed.
Include billed reasoning in output. Verify provider, service tier and current prices before using a preset.
| Cost component | USD |
|---|
Method, boundaries and citation
Total batch cost = API + allocated subscription + tools/hosting + review minutes ÷ 60 × hourly cost + additional taxes/fees.
Cost per accepted task = total batch cost ÷ unique accepted tasks. With zero accepted tasks the result is undefined, even when spending is zero. Failed attempts remain in the numerator. Attempts are not a multiplier: their costs are already in the batch totals.
Before comparing batches, hold the task mix, acceptance criteria, time window and accounting boundary constant. Include supervision or infrastructure in the relevant input when material. This does not measure software quality, long-term maintenance, opportunity cost or ROI automatically. API-equivalent valuations are not interchangeable with actual invoices.
Suggested citation: EyesTech Editorial, “AI Coding Cost Calculator: accepted-task method,” version 1.0, 7 September 2026. Canonical method link. Attribution is appreciated; no backlink is required to use this tool.
Sources and further reading: OpenAI’s research-usage disclosure distinguishes API-price valuation; token-consumption research studies variability in coding-agent runs. The worked example and accounting implementation are EyesTech’s, not results from those sources.
Change log, 7 September 2026: Combined token estimation and accepted-task accounting in one calculator. Added CSV reports and a blank ledger. Rates and FX are editable; taxes are entered explicitly. Report a correction.