Reasoning Model
A model tuned to spend extra effort thinking through a problem step by step before answering, trading speed for accuracy.
It handles hard logic, math, and planning better, at higher cost and slower speed.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use a reasoning model instead of a regular one?
Reach for one when the task involves hard logic, math, or multi-step planning where accuracy matters more than speed. For quick, simple answers a standard model is usually faster and cheaper.
Why are reasoning models slower and more expensive?
They spend extra effort thinking through a problem step by step before answering, and that added work costs more time and compute. You are essentially paying for more careful thought in exchange for better results on tough problems.
Is a reasoning model the same as chain-of-thought prompting?
They are related but not identical. Chain-of-thought is a way you prompt any model to show its steps, while a reasoning model is built and tuned to do that deeper thinking on its own, without you having to ask for it every time.
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