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JSON output costs 2.6x more than CSV for LLM data, study finds

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

Using JSON for data output from large language models can be significantly more expensive than using CSV due to token costs associated with formatting. Pretty-printed JSON, for instance, can cost 2.6 times more than CSV for the same data, primarily due to indentation and repeated key names. While renaming keys to shorter aliases can reduce costs, it impacts readability. For bulk data extraction tasks, especially with short records, switching to CSV or Tab-Separated Values (TSV) can lead to substantial savings on API calls, though JSON remains preferable for single object outputs or when specific tool-calling features mandate its use. AI

IMPACT Switching from JSON to CSV for bulk data output can significantly reduce LLM API costs, especially for short records.

RANK_REASON The item analyzes the cost implications of using different data formats with LLMs, rather than announcing a new model or product.

Read on dev.to — LLM tag →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

JSON output costs 2.6x more than CSV for LLM data, study finds

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The item analyzes the cost implications of using different data formats with LLMs, rather than announcing a new model or product.
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. dev.to — LLM tag TIER_1 English(EN) · Andrey Altrouter ·

    Your JSON output costs 2.6 more than the same data as CSV

    <p>Everyone writes <code>response_format={"type": "json_object"}</code> and moves on. It's the obvious choice: your code needs structured data, JSON is structured data, done.</p> <p>Then the extraction job runs on a hundred thousand rows and the bill arrives, and a surprising sha…

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