---
title: "GPT 4 for OpenClaw: Pricing, Setup, and What It's Good At"
description: "Everything you need to know about using GPT 4 with OpenClaw. Costs $30/M input, $60/M output. 8K context window. Here's when to use it and when to pick something else."
date: 2026-03-12
updatedDate: 2026-03-12
image: /images/models/provider-openai-hero.jpg
keywords: "gpt 4 openclaw, gpt 4 pricing, gpt 4 review, openai openclaw, gpt 4 api"
category: model-guide
modelData:
  provider: "OpenAI"
  provider_slug: "openai"
  full_id: "openai/gpt-4"
  input_cost_per_1m: 30
  output_cost_per_1m: 60
  max_input_tokens: 8192
  max_output_tokens: 4096
  features: ["function_calling"]
  parameter_count: null
  architecture: null
  license: null
faq:
  - question: "What is the maximum context length?"
    answer: "The standard gpt-4 model is capped at 8,192 tokens, which includes both your input prompt and the generated response."
  - question: "How much does it cost to process 1 million tokens?"
    answer: "It costs $30 for input and $60 for output, making it one of the most expensive models currently available."
---

Current as of March 2026. The original GPT-4. At $30/$60 per million tokens with an 8K context window, there's almost no scenario where you should choose this over GPT-4o in 2026. I'm including it because it still shows up in legacy configs and people sometimes ask about it.

## Specs

| | |
|---|---|
| **Provider** | OpenAI |
| **Input cost** | $30 / M tokens |
| **Output cost** | $60 / M tokens |
| **Context window** | 8K tokens |
| **Max output** | 4K tokens |
| **Parameters** | N/A |
| **Features** | function_calling |

## What it's good at

#### Logic Stability

It's methodical and literal. For tasks where you need a model to follow instructions exactly without creative interpretation, GPT-4 does this reliably.

#### Function Calling

The tool use implementation is rock solid. It predates some of the quirks introduced in newer model versions.

## Where it falls short

#### The Price

$30/M input when GPT-4o is $2.50/M for a better model. There's no defending this for new projects.

#### 8K Context

You'll hit this limit before you finish pasting in a medium-sized codebase. For anything agentic, this is a genuine blocker.

## Best use cases with OpenClaw

- **Prompt Debugging** — Running a failing prompt against GPT-4 to isolate whether the problem is your prompt or a weaker model.
- **Legacy Workflow Continuity** — If you built something on GPT-4 and migrating isn't worth the effort right now.

## Not ideal for

- **RAG Pipelines** — 8K context means you can fit maybe two or three retrieved chunks. That's not enough.
- **Agentic Loops** — At $60/M output, a long code generation task will cost you significantly.

## Run it through Haimaker

Skip juggling API keys. One Haimaker key gives you access to every model on the platform. Tell OpenClaw:

```
Add Haimaker as a custom provider to my OpenClaw config. Use these details:

- Provider name: haimaker
- Base URL: https://api.haimaker.ai/v1
- API key: [PASTE YOUR HAIMAKER API KEY HERE]
- API type: openai-completions

Add the auto-router model:
- haimaker/auto (reasoning: false, context: 128000, max tokens: 32000)

Create an alias "auto" for easy switching. Apply the config when done.
```

Or skip model selection entirely — Haimaker's [auto-router](/blog/openclaw-auto-router-setup/) picks the best model for each task so you don't have to.

## OpenClaw setup

OpenClaw has native support for OpenAI. Just set the OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable and the framework handles the connection automatically with no extra config.

```bash
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-key-here"
```

That's it. OpenClaw picks up OpenAI models automatically.

## How it compares

- **vs Claude 3.5 Sonnet** — Sonnet is faster, has a 200K context window, and costs $3/$15.
- **vs GPT-4o** — GPT-4o is the direct upgrade: 128K context, much lower latency, roughly 1/12th the input cost.

## Bottom line

Don't start new projects on this. If you're already on it, migrate to GPT-4o. The performance is better and the cost is dramatically lower.

<a href="https://app.haimaker.ai/sign-up?utm_source=model_guide&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=gpt-4-openclaw" class="cta-button">TRY GPT 4 ON HAIMAKER</a>

---

*For setup instructions, see our [API key guide](/blog/openclaw-api-key-setup). For all available models, see the [complete models guide](/blog/best-models-for-openclaw).*