How much markup should I add to AI costs?
For teams reselling AI capabilities, the question "Decide the markup to apply on raw AI costs?" decides whether the feature makes money. This calculator connects usage, cost and price so you can set a number that protects your unit economics.
Results update automatically as you type.
- API cost / request
- $0.0200
- Markup
- 300.0%
- Your price / request
- $0.0800
- Gross margin / request
- $0.0600
- Monthly gross profit
- $6,000.00
Why this isn't trivial
The part people underestimate: markup must cover not just AI cost but support, overhead and price volatility, so a thin markup can leave you exposed. In practice the biggest savings come from building a buffer into the markup for provider price changes, so it is worth modelling before you commit.
How it's calculated
We estimate this by multiplying raw per-request AI cost by a markup factor and checking the resulting margin. 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 markup is typical?+
Enough to cover overhead and volatility; the tool ties markup to the margin it yields.
Why buffer for volatility?+
Provider prices move; a buffer keeps you profitable if input costs rise.
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.