GPT-5 vs GPT-5 Mini for legal writing: which is better in 2026?
A head-to-head look at GPT-5 and GPT-5 Mini for legal writing. Benchmarks via artificialanalysis.ai, pricing as of May 2026. Compare AI models like these inside Admix.
Quick verdict
For legal writing in May 2026, GPT-5 edges out GPT-5 Mini on the contextWindow metric. Top reasoning and math scores.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | GPT-5 | GPT-5 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence index | 78.4 | 64.5 |
| Coding index | 76.1 | 61.0 |
| Context window | 400K tokens | 200K tokens |
| Speed (tok/s) | 142 | 220 |
| Input $/M | $5.00 | $0.25 |
| Output $/M | $20.00 | $1.00 |
| Released | Aug 7, 2025 | Sep 10, 2025 |
How they handle legal writing
GPT-5: Top reasoning and math scores. The main caveat is more expensive than mid-tier models.
GPT-5 Mini: Excellent quality-to-price ratio. The main caveat is behind flagships on hard reasoning.
Cost per 1,000 queries
Assuming 1,500 input and 800 output tokens per query:
- GPT-5: $23.50 per 1,000 queries
- GPT-5 Mini: $1.18 per 1,000 queries
Verdict by sub-task
- Best raw quality on legal writing:
- Best price: GPT-5 Mini
- Longest context: GPT-5
- Fastest: GPT-5 Mini
FAQ
Is GPT-5 better than GPT-5 Mini for legal writing?
On May 2026 benchmarks (artificialanalysis.ai), GPT-5 ranks higher than GPT-5 Mini for legal writing on the contextWindow metric. The gap is small enough that the choice often comes down to price, context length, and tone.
Which is cheaper, GPT-5 or GPT-5 Mini?
GPT-5 costs $5.00 input and $20.00 output per million tokens. GPT-5 Mini costs $0.25 input and $1.00 output per million tokens.
Can I use both GPT-5 and GPT-5 Mini in one app?
Yes. Admix is a multi model AI chat aggregator that lets you run GPT-5 and GPT-5 Mini side by side under one subscription.
Sources
Benchmarks from artificialanalysis.ai (May 2026).
Related
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