ChatGPT & OpenAI
Tokens (in OpenAI)
Definition
The text units used to measure model input, output, cost, and context length.
Visual example
Measured portions = OpenAI tokens
The kitchen connection
Think of measured portions of language ingredients.
The illustration connects the AI idea to something familiar. Follow the subject, the action, and the result to see how it works.
- 01 · Who or what
- Measured portions = OpenAI tokens
- 02 · What happens
- Counts input and output text
- 03 · The result
- Affects limits cost and length
Why it matters
They help explain usage limits, pricing, output length, and context capacity.