Sunday, November 1, 2026Sun, Nov 1 AboutRSSSubscribe

Content Memory

Knowledge, search and the machines that remember

Developer Tools

GPT-6.1 Terra

OpenAI's new GPT-6.1 Terra model combines visual reasoning and computer use, offering a midrange option for API developers. It is priced lower than GPT-6.1 Sol and offers faster performance.

Original reporting · simonwillison.net

Read “GPT-6.1 Terra” at Simon Willison →
GPT-6.1 Terra
Image: Simon Willison

How this was written. Content Memory wrote this article with a language model from Simon Willison’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.

Key points from Simon Willison’s report

  • OpenAI has introduced GPT-6.1 Terra, a new model that emphasizes visual reasoning and computer use.
  • The model is priced at $1/million input tokens and $5/million output, making it a midrange option.
  • GPT-6.1 Terra is designed to handle tasks such as drafting proposals, interpreting technical drawings, and editing videos.
  • The model's performance is notable, with faster performance than GPT-5.6 Terra and GPT-6.1 Sol.
  • GPT-6.1 Terra is a significant addition to OpenAI's model collection, offering a new option for API developers and subscribers.

OpenAI has introduced GPT-6.1 Terra, a new model that emphasizes visual reasoning and computer use, according to Simon Willison. This model is a significant step up from GPT-5.6 Terra and excels at communication and computer-based tasks. It is designed to handle tasks such as drafting proposals, interpreting technical drawings, and editing videos. The model's capabilities make it a useful tool for workday tasks.

GPT-6.1 Terra is positioned as a midrange option in OpenAI's model collection, similar to Sonnet in the Anthropic model collection. This positioning makes it harder to decide when to use it, as it is not the cheapest or the most expensive option. However, its pricing and performance make it an attractive choice for certain tasks. Computer use is one example of a task that can benefit from a less expensive model, as it can be used for automated and repetitive tasks.

The model's performance is notable, with OpenAI's Ted Sanders commenting that it is probably better than Astra and Sol at technical communication. It is also similar to these models in terms of vision and computer use, but much faster. For API developers, GPT-6.1 Terra is a nice midrange option if they want something cheaper than Sol but smarter than Luna, especially for vision, computer use, and communication.

In terms of pricing, GPT-6.1 Terra is priced at $1/million input tokens and $5/million output. This is almost half the price of GPT-5.6 Terra and GPT-6.1 Sol, and around 10x the price of GPT-6 Luna. The model's pricing and performance make it an attractive choice for certain use cases. For subscribers, it may not be a bombshell release, but it can help them go further if they are hitting usage limits.

The release of GPT-6.1 Terra also includes a new comparison grid showing pelicans for every reasoning level of OpenAI's current frontier lineup. This grid provides a useful tool for comparing the performance of different models. The pelican for the 'max' cost 11.3161 cents and took 4 minutes and 11 seconds, demonstrating the model's capabilities.

Overall, GPT-6.1 Terra is a significant release from OpenAI, offering a midrange option for API developers and subscribers. Its emphasis on visual reasoning and computer use, combined with its pricing and performance, make it an attractive choice for certain use cases. As the model collection continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how GPT-6.1 Terra is used and how it compares to other models.

The introduction of GPT-6.1 Terra is a notable development in the field of AI, and its impact will be closely watched. As the model is used in various applications, its performance and capabilities will be further evaluated. For now, it remains a significant addition to OpenAI's model collection, offering a new option for those looking for a midrange model with strong visual reasoning and computer use capabilities.

Questions and answers

What is GPT-6.1 Terra?

GPT-6.1 Terra is a new model introduced by OpenAI that emphasizes visual reasoning and computer use.

How is GPT-6.1 Terra priced?

GPT-6.1 Terra is priced at $1/million input tokens and $5/million output, making it a midrange option.

What are the benefits of using GPT-6.1 Terra?

GPT-6.1 Terra offers faster performance and stronger visual reasoning and computer use capabilities, making it a useful tool for workday tasks.

Read the full story at Simon Willison More from Tuesday, October 27, 2026’s edition