---
title: "Best OpenAI Models for OpenClaw (2026): Which GPT to Pick"
description: "OpenAI has a dozen models in the API. Most OpenClaw users only need one. GPT-5.4 for hard problems, GPT-5.4 Mini for daily coding, GPT-5 Codex for agents. Here's how to pick."
date: 2026-04-12
updatedDate: 2026-09-08
location: San Francisco, CA – Apr 12th, 2026
image: /images/best-openai-models-for-openclaw-hero.jpg
keywords: "openclaw openai, best openai model for openclaw, gpt openclaw, gpt-5 openclaw, gpt-5.4 openclaw, gpt-5 codex openclaw, openai api openclaw, best gpt for openclaw"
models:
  - provider: openai
    slug: gpt-5.4-mini
    name: GPT-5.4 Mini
    note: Recommended default for daily OpenClaw work.
  - provider: openai
    slug: gpt-5.4
    name: GPT-5.4
    note: Flagship for hard problems and long-context tasks.
  - provider: openai
    slug: gpt-5.4-nano
    name: GPT-5.4 Nano
    note: Cheap fast path for trivial requests.
  - provider: openai
    slug: gpt-5
    name: GPT-5
    note: Predecessor; useful baseline if you're migrating up.
  - provider: openai
    slug: gpt-5-mini
    name: GPT-5 Mini
    note: Legacy mini — replaced by GPT-5.4 Mini for new work.
faq:
  - question: "What is the best OpenAI model for OpenClaw?"
    answer: "For most users, GPT-5.4 Mini is the best default. Input is cheap enough to run it all day on a large codebase, output quality is close to GPT-5.4, and the 400K context window handles real work. For hard problems, GPT-5.4 at $2.50/$15 is worth it. For code-agent workflows where the model chains tools, GPT-5 Codex or GPT-5.1-Codex-Max are better picks."
  - question: "How much does it cost to use OpenAI with OpenClaw?"
    answer: "OpenAI models range from $0.05/M input (GPT-5 Nano) to $30/M input (GPT-5.4 Pro). The practical range for OpenClaw users is $0.20–$2.50 per million input tokens. GPT-5.4 Mini at $0.75/$4.50 is a good starting point. GPT-5.4 Pro at $30/$180 is almost never worth it unless you're running research-grade reasoning workloads."
  - question: "How do I set up OpenAI in OpenClaw?"
    answer: "Add openai as a provider in ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json with baseUrl 'https://api.openai.com/v1' and your OpenAI API key. Then add your chosen model (e.g., openai/gpt-5.4-mini) to the agents.defaults.models allowlist. Run 'openclaw gateway config.apply' and the model shows up in /model."
---

OpenAI ships new GPT models faster than anyone writes guides for them. As of April 2026, there are more than a dozen models live in the API, and most OpenClaw users are trying to figure out which one to use.

Short version: pick one of four depending on what you're doing.

## The quick answer

| Model | Input/Output Cost | Context | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| **[GPT-5.4 Mini](/blog/gpt-5-4-openclaw)** | $0.75 / $4.50 | 400K | Default for daily coding |
| **[GPT-5.4](/blog/gpt-5-4-openclaw)** | $2.50 / $15 | 1.05M | Hard problems, long context |
| **GPT-5.1-Codex-Max** | $1.25 / $10 | 400K | Agent loops, tool calling |
| **[GPT-5.4 Nano](/blog/gpt-5-4-openclaw)** | $0.20 / $1.25 | 400K | Cheap fast paths |
| **[GPT-5.4 Pro](/blog/gpt-5-4-pro-openclaw)** | $30 / $180 | 1.05M | Research-grade reasoning only |
| **GPT-5 Mini** | $0.25 / $2 | 400K | Legacy (use 5.4 Mini instead) |

Most people should start with **GPT-5.4 Mini** and only reach for something else when the task actually needs it.

## GPT-5.4 Mini — the default pick

GPT-5.4 Mini is what I'd put in front of most people. $0.75/M input, $4.50/M output, 400K context. It's about 3x cheaper than GPT-5.4 on input and close enough in quality that you won't notice on day-to-day coding.

Tool calling is solid. Function signatures come back clean, arguments are typed correctly, and the model doesn't hallucinate file paths. For refactors, bug hunting, and running OpenClaw against a real repo, this is the one I keep coming back to.

Where it falls short: really hard reasoning and novel algorithm design. If you're writing something where correctness is everything and the model needs to hold five competing hypotheses in its head, step up to GPT-5.4.

## GPT-5.4 — the flagship

$2.50/M input, $15/M output, 1.05M token context. GPT-5.4 is the high-end general-purpose model. It landed in March and the delta over 5.3 is real on hard problems: better at multi-file refactors, fewer logic errors on non-trivial code, noticeably better at following long instructions without drifting.

The 1M context window is the other reason to reach for it. You can feed it an entire mid-sized codebase and it will actually use the cross-file information. GPT-5.4 Mini caps at 400K, which is still a lot, but if you're dumping a monorepo in, you want the full window.

I use it for architecture reviews, hard debugging, and anything where I'd rather pay more than iterate three times. Cost-wise, it's in the same tier as Claude Sonnet 4.6 and Gemini 3.1 Pro. Not cheap, but not ridiculous either.

## GPT-5.1-Codex-Max — the agent loop model

If OpenClaw is running in full agent mode (writing code, running it, reading errors, fixing them, commit), this is the model I'd use. $1.25/M input, $10/M output, 400K context.

The Codex-series models are tuned for the inner loop of programming. They're better at reading stack traces, writing diffs that apply cleanly, and chaining shell commands without losing the plot. GPT-5 Codex is the older sibling and slightly cheaper; Codex-Max handles longer autonomous runs without wandering.

If you're using OpenClaw interactively (you drive, the model helps), GPT-5.4 Mini is fine and cheaper. If you're telling OpenClaw "fix this bug" and walking away, give Codex-Max a try.

## GPT-5.4 Nano — the budget fast path

$0.20/M input, $1.25/M output, 400K context. Nano is what you reach for when you want a GPT model but can't justify the cost: quick commit-message generation, file summarization, linter comments. It's not as smart as Mini, but it's fast and dirt cheap.

Honestly, for most OpenClaw workflows, it's a false economy. The difference between Nano and Mini output-token cost is $3.25/M. For a typical coding session using maybe 2M output tokens, that's $6.50. Not worth the quality drop unless you're running a high-volume batch job.

## GPT-5.4 Pro — almost never

$30/M input, $180/M output, 1.05M context. GPT-5.4 Pro is positioned as the flagship reasoning model. On paper it's better than 5.4 at the hardest problems. In practice, I've had a hard time finding tasks where the quality gain justifies being **12x more expensive** than GPT-5.4.

If you're doing literal research-grade work (novel proof writing, symbolic math, or multi-hour autonomous reasoning that needs to be right on the first try), fine. For everyone else, GPT-5.4 at $2.50/$15 does the job.

## Legacy models to skip

- **GPT-5** ($1.25/$10): Replaced by GPT-5.1 Chat at the same price with better behavior. No reason to pin to the older version.
- **GPT-5 Mini** ($0.25/$2): Cheaper than 5.4 Mini but noticeably worse at tool calling. The $0.50 you save on input tokens isn't worth the iteration cost.
- **GPT-4.1 / 4o / o1 / o3**: All superseded. Don't start new projects on them.

## Setup in OpenClaw

#### Running through haimaker.ai

All OpenAI models are also available through [haimaker.ai](https://app.haimaker.ai) with a single API key. If you're already using haimaker for other providers, you can get GPT-5.4 and friends without creating a separate OpenAI account:

```json
{
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "haimaker": {
        "baseUrl": "https://api.haimaker.ai/v1",
        "apiKey": "your-haimaker-api-key",
        "api": "openai-completions"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

This also gets you access to Claude, Gemini, Grok, and dozens of open-source models through the same provider.

If you'd rather not open `openclaw.json` at all, `npx -y @haimaker/connect --openclaw` writes this provider block and your GPT allowlist in one command, with `--model openai/gpt-5.4-mini` landing you on the daily driver. The [connect page](/connect) has the full flag list.

#### Direct OpenAI setup

Getting OpenAI running takes about two minutes.

#### 1. Get your OpenAI API key

Sign up at [platform.openai.com](https://platform.openai.com). You'll need to add billing before the API will accept requests. There's no free tier for programmatic use.

#### 2. Add OpenAI as a provider

Open `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` and add OpenAI to your providers:

```json
{
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openai": {
        "baseUrl": "https://api.openai.com/v1",
        "apiKey": "your-openai-api-key",
        "api": "openai-completions"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

#### 3. Add models to the allowlist

In the same file, add the models you want to use:

```json
{
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "models": {
        "openai/gpt-5.4-mini": {},
        "openai/gpt-5.4": {},
        "openai/gpt-5.1-codex-max": {}
      }
    }
  }
}
```

#### 4. Apply the config

Run `openclaw gateway config.apply` and switch models with `/model` during a session.

## What I'd do

Default to GPT-5.4 Mini. Step up to GPT-5.4 when the task is actually hard or you need the full 1M context window. Swap in GPT-5.1-Codex-Max when OpenClaw is running agent-style and you won't be driving. Ignore Nano and Pro unless you have a specific reason. The middle of the lineup is where the real work gets done.