Kimi K3 API pricing & setup
As of 2026-10-17, the cheapest Kimi K3 channel is Official (China): ¥20 input / ¥100 output per 1M tokens (blended $5.97). Context 1M.
→ Kimi hub: all prices, free access, setup
Context: 1M · Max output: 944K · Modalities: text, image, video · Listed: 2026-07-16
Channel comparison (per 1M tokens)
| Channel | Blended | Input | Output | Cached | Access & payment (this channel) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official (China) ¥20 / ¥100 | $5.97 | $2.99 | $14.93 | $0.299 | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✓ID✗Intl card conditions source2026-10-17 | 缓存写入 ¥20（TTL 5min）/ ¥40（1h） models.dev ✓ | platform.moonshot.cn 2026-10-17 |
| Official (Intl) $3 / $15 | $6 | $3 | $15 | $0.3 | ?CN direct·unverified?Alipay·unverified?ID·unverified?Intl card·unverified | Cache write $3.00 (TTL 5min) / $6.00 (TTL 1h) models.dev ✓ | platform.moonshot.ai 2026-10-17 |
| OpenRouter $3 / $15 | $6 | $3 | $15 | $0.3 | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✗ID✗Intl card conditions source2026-10-17 | Original vendor endpoint: Moonshot AI Quantized min $0.504 / $8.1 (fp4, Sail Research) Licensed cloud alternative: Amazon Bedrock $3 / $15 | openrouter.ai 2026-10-17 |
Access & payment conditions are verified per channel (see the column above); unverified never counts as met.
How to use Kimi K3 in Claude Code / Codex / OpenCode
OpenAI compatible base URL: https://api.moonshot.cn/v1 · MOONSHOT_API_KEY
Check the provider docs for exact model IDs. Source
Cheaper alternatives
Qwen3.8 Max Prime ($5.37) · GPT-5.6 Terra ($4.5) · Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview ($4.5) ·
Compare
Kimi K3 vs GLM-5.3 · Kimi K3 vs DeepSeek V4 Pro (0813) · Kimi K2.7 Code vs Claude Sonnet 5.5 · Compare any two →
Rankings: Cheapest LLM APIs · LLM APIs usable from mainland China · All Moonshot AI (Kimi) models
Price history
- 2026-10-17 · OpenRouter · Kimi K3 cached: $0.21 → $0.3 (OpenRouter basis change: model list price → Moonshot AI (original vendor); not a provider price change)
- 2026-10-17 · OpenRouter · Kimi K3 output: $11.936 → $15 (OpenRouter basis change: model list price → Moonshot AI (original vendor); not a provider price change)
- 2026-10-17 · OpenRouter · Kimi K3 input: $0.304 → $3 (OpenRouter basis change: model list price → Moonshot AI (original vendor); not a provider price change)
- 2026-10-17 · Official (Intl) · Kimi K3 listed · $3 / $15
- 2026-10-17 · Official (China) · Kimi K3 listed · ¥20 / ¥100
FAQ
How much does the Kimi K3 API cost?
Cheapest channel (Official (China)): ¥20 input / ¥100 output per 1M tokens, verified 2026-10-17.
Can I use Kimi K3 from China?
Official (China): direct yes, Alipay yes, ID required yes, overseas card no; Official (Intl): direct unverified, Alipay unverified, ID required unverified, overseas card unverified; OpenRouter: direct yes, Alipay yes, ID required no, overseas card no
Is Kimi K3 free?
No free route or deal recorded for this model; pay-as-you-go.
What is Kimi K3's context window?
1M tokens