Prompt caching allows you to cache frequently-used context (system prompts, examples, documents) and reuse it across multiple requests at a discounted rate. This guide explains how caching works and is priced across different providers.

​
Overview

When you cache content:
  1. Cache Write: You pay to store content in the cache (first use)
  2. Cache Read: You pay a discounted rate when reusing cached content
  3. Storage (Google only): Additional hourly storage costs

​
Anthropic (Claude)

Anthropic uses a simple multiplier-based pricing model for prompt caching.

​
Pricing Structure

OperationMultiplierExample (Claude Sonnet @ $3/MTok)
Cache Read0.1×$0.30/MTok
Cache Write (5 min)1.25×$3.75/MTok
Cache Write (1 hour)2.0×$6.00/MTok

​
Key Points

  • TTL Options: 5 minutes or 1 hour
  • Providers: Available on Anthropic API, Vertex AI, and AWS Bedrock
  • Limitation: Vertex AI and Bedrock only support 5-minute caching
  • Minimum: 1024 tokens for most models

​
Calculation Example

Base input price: $3/MTok
5-min cache write: $3 × 1.25 = $3.75/MTok
1-hour cache write: $3 × 2.0 = $6.00/MTok
Cache read: $3 × 0.1 = $0.30/MTok

​
Google Gemini

Google uses a multiplier plus storage cost model for context caching.

​
Pricing Structure

OperationMultiplierStorage Cost
Cache Read0.25×N/A
Cache Write1.0×+ Storage fee
Storage Rates:
  • Gemini 2.5 Pro: $4.50/MTok/hour
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash: $1.00/MTok/hour
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite: $1.00/MTok/hour

​
Key Points

  • TTL: 5 minutes only
  • Cache Types: Implicit (automatic) and Explicit (manual)
  • Minimum: 1024 tokens (Flash), 2048 tokens (Pro)
  • Discount: 75% off input costs for cache reads

​
Calculation Example

For Gemini 2.5 Pro (≤200K tokens): 
Base input price: $1.25/MTok
Storage rate: $4.50/MTok/hour

Cache write (5 min):
- Input cost: $1.25 × 1.0 = $1.25
- Storage cost: $4.50 × (5/60) = $0.375
- Total: $1.625/MTok

Cache read: $1.25 × 0.25 = $0.31/MTok

​
Tiered Pricing

Gemini 2.5 Pro has different rates for larger contexts:
Context SizeInput PriceCache ReadCache Write (5 min)
≤200K tokens$1.25/MTok$0.31/MTok$1.625/MTok
>200K tokens$2.50/MTok$0.625/MTok$2.875/MTok