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Large Language Models

CodeHelp can use several different large language models to generate responses to queries. By default, the following models are available in CodeHelp:

Model	Avg cost per 100 queries	Average response time	Notes
OpenAI GPT-4.1 nano	US$0.05	2 seconds	The lowest-cost and fastest of these options. It can provide accurate, helpful responses in a wide variety of cases, but it will be noticeably less accurate in less common programming languages and may exhibit less fluency in languages other than English.
OpenAI GPT-4.1 mini	US$0.20	6 seconds	(Recommended) The best OpenAI model for most cases. It is generally as capable as GPT-4.1 but at a lower cost.
OpenAI GPT-4.1	US$1	8 seconds	The most capable model of these OpenAI models. It is recommended for classes using uncommon programming languages, students asking questions in less widely-spoken languages, and/or queries with subtle or complex issues. Most CS classes and students are unlikely to see a major difference in responses between this and GPT-4.1 mini.
Google Gemini 3 Flash Preview	US$0.50	8 seconds	(Recommended) The best Google model for most cases. Is likely to give the most accurate and correct responses of all models listed here.

Not recommended

For comparison, here are a few OpenAI and Google models that are high-quality but whose cost and/or speed make them poor choices.

These models will produce some of the highest quality responses available, but the improvement over the recommended models above will be relatively small, especially relative to their substantially slower generation and higher costs.

They are not provided as options by default, but you can always configure one as a custom model for your own classes if you want to try it.

Model	Avg cost per 100 queries	Average response time
OpenAI GPT 5 Mini	US$0.50	20 seconds
OpenAI GPT 5.2	US$2	very slow
Google Gemini 3 Pro Preview	US$2	very slow