How much does an AI search feature cost per query?
Figuring out how to estimate the per-query cost of an AI search feature is one of the first budgeting questions AI teams hit. Built for teams adding AI answers to search, this tool skips the generic rate card and gives you a working estimate you can tune to your traffic. The result reacts live as you adjust the inputs.
Results update automatically as you type.
- Query embedding
- $8.00e-7
- Retrieved context
- 2,560 tokens
- Generation cost
- $0.00762
- Per query
- $0.00763
- Per month
- $457.55
Why this isn't trivial
The part people underestimate: each query embeds the question, retrieves context and generates an answer, so the retrieved-context size sets the cost. In practice the biggest savings come from retrieving fewer, higher-quality chunks and caching popular queries, so it is worth modelling before you commit.
How it's calculated
We estimate this by adding the query embedding cost to the generation cost of the retrieved context plus the answer, per query. Every figure uses the current provider prices baked into the site (reviewed daily), and you can override any input to match your own assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
What makes AI search costlier than keyword search?+
You pay for embeddings and an LLM answer on top of retrieval, unlike a plain keyword index.
How do I keep per-query cost low?+
Retrieve fewer chunks, cap answer length, and cache answers to repeated questions.
Are these prices up to date?+
Yes. The model prices behind this calculator are refreshed and reviewed daily, so your estimate reflects current provider rates rather than a stale snapshot.
Related
Estimates for planning. Pricing data last reviewed 28 July 2026.