Model comparison
GPT-4.1 vs GPT-5.2
Head-to-head evidence from 17 shared benchmark results across 7 categories. Overall scores shown here use the public BenchAlign v5 ranking lane.
Public leaderboard positions: GPT-4.1 #108 (Supported); GPT-5.2 #64 (Estimated). Intervals and evidence labels describe ranking uncertainty, not a guarantee for a specific workload.
Evidence parity. GPT-4.1 and GPT-5.2 share 17 comparable benchmark results. 3 of 8 categories are comparable. 3 results are unique to GPT-4.1; 11 to GPT-5.2.
Updated July 22, 2026- Shared results
- 17
- GPT-4.1 only
- 3
- GPT-5.2 only
- 11
- Comparable categories
- 3 / 8
Pick GPT-5.2 if you want the stronger benchmark profile. GPT-4.1 only becomes the better choice if you want the cheaper token bill or you need the larger 1M context window.
Confidence note. This is a partial-evidence comparison with 17 shared benchmark results across 7 evidence categories; 3 of 8 categories currently have scoreable aggregates for both models. Treat the verdict as directional until coverage is more balanced.
Why this result
GPT-5.2 is clearly ahead on the BenchAlign aggregate, 58.43 to 51.11. The gap is large enough that you do not need to squint at the spreadsheet to see the difference.
GPT-5.2's sharpest advantage is in mathematics, where it averages 35.2 against 4.1. The single biggest benchmark swing on the page is FrontierMath v2 (Tiers 1-3), 5.517% to 40.700%.
GPT-5.2 is also the more expensive model on tokens at $1.75 input / $14.00 output per 1M tokens, versus $2.00 input / $8.00 output per 1M tokens for GPT-4.1. GPT-5.2 is the reasoning model in the pair, while GPT-4.1 is not. That usually helps on harder chain-of-thought-heavy tests, but it can also mean more latency and more token spend in real use. GPT-4.1 gives you the larger context window at 1M, compared with 400K for GPT-5.2.
Category breakdown
Exact category averages are shown below. Not measured means BenchLM does not have enough sourced public coverage for that model and category.
| Category | GPT-4.1 | Δ | GPT-5.2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | GPT-4.14.1 | Margin→ 31.1 | GPT-5.235.2 |
| Knowledge | GPT-4.166.3 | Margin→ 26.1 | GPT-5.292.4 |
| Coding | GPT-4.154.6 | Margin→ 16.0 | GPT-5.270.6 |
| Agentic | GPT-4.1Not measured | MarginNo overlap | GPT-5.255.7 |
| Reasoning | GPT-4.1Not measured | MarginNo overlap | GPT-5.252.9 |
| Multimodal | GPT-4.1Not measured | MarginNo overlap | GPT-5.280.4 |
| Inst. Following | GPT-4.187.4 | MarginNo overlap | GPT-5.2Not measured |
Decisive benchmark drivers
The largest measured benchmark gaps in this matchup, with exact reported values.
More
- Source ↗
FrontierMath v2 (Tiers 1-3)
MathA 5.517%B 40.700%Winner: GPT-5.2Δ 35.2FrontierMath v2 (Tiers 1-3): GPT-4.1 scored 5.517%; GPT-5.2 scored 40.700%. GPT-5.2 wins this benchmark. - Source ↗
GPQA
KnowledgeA 66.3%B 92.4%Winner: GPT-5.2Δ 26.1GPQA: GPT-4.1 scored 66.3%; GPT-5.2 scored 92.4%. GPT-5.2 wins this benchmark. - Source ↗
SWE-bench Verified
CodingA 54.6%B 80%Winner: GPT-5.2Δ 25.4SWE-bench Verified: GPT-4.1 scored 54.6%; GPT-5.2 scored 80%. GPT-5.2 wins this benchmark. - Source ↗
FrontierMath v2 (Tier 4)
MathA 0.000%B 18.800%Winner: GPT-5.2Δ 18.8FrontierMath v2 (Tier 4): GPT-4.1 scored 0.000%; GPT-5.2 scored 18.800%. GPT-5.2 wins this benchmark.
Operational comparison
Runtime and commercial metrics are compared only when both models have a complete sourced value.
| Metric | GPT-4.1 | GPT-5.2 | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input / output priceUSD per 1M tokens | GPT-4.1$2 input / $8 output | GPT-5.2$1.75 input / $14 output | GPT-4.1 has the lower combined listed price. |
| Generation speedtokens per second | GPT-4.1108 tok/s | GPT-5.273 tok/s | GPT-4.1 has the higher measured throughput. |
| First-answer latencyseconds to first token | GPT-4.11.02 s | GPT-5.2130.34 s | GPT-4.1 reaches the first token sooner. |
| Context windowmaximum listed tokens | GPT-4.11M | GPT-5.2400K | GPT-4.1 lists the larger context window. |
Benchmark Deep Dive
Agentic5 benchmarks
CodingGPT-5.2 wins4 benchmarks
Reasoning3 benchmarks
KnowledgeGPT-5.2 wins8 benchmarks
| Benchmark | GPT-4.1 | GPT-5.2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMLUSource | 90.2% | — | Not comparable |
| GPQASource | 66.3% | 92.4% | GPT-5.2 leads |
| Artificial Analysis Intelligence IndexSource | 19.4% | 42.2% | GPT-5.2 leads |
| AA-GPQA DiamondSource | 66.6% | 90.3% | GPT-5.2 leads |
| AA-HLESource | 4.6% | 35.4% | GPT-5.2 leads |
| AA-Omniscience IndexSource | -36.2% | -1.0% | GPT-5.2 leads |
| AA-Omniscience AccuracySource | 24.2% | 43.8% | GPT-5.2 leads |
| AA-Omniscience Hallucination RateSource | 79.6% | 79.7% | GPT-4.1 leads |
MathGPT-5.2 wins3 benchmarks
Multimodal6 benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions (4)
Which is better, GPT-4.1 or GPT-5.2?
GPT-5.2 is ahead on BenchLM's BenchAlign leaderboard, 58.43 to 51.11. The biggest single separator in this matchup is FrontierMath v2 (Tiers 1-3), where the scores are 5.517% and 40.700%.
Which is better for knowledge tasks, GPT-4.1 or GPT-5.2?
GPT-5.2 has the edge for knowledge tasks in this comparison, averaging 92.4 versus 66.3. Inside this category, AA-Omniscience Index is the benchmark that creates the most daylight between them.
Which is better for coding, GPT-4.1 or GPT-5.2?
GPT-5.2 has the edge for coding in this comparison, averaging 70.6 versus 54.6. Inside this category, SWE-bench Verified is the benchmark that creates the most daylight between them.
Which is better for math, GPT-4.1 or GPT-5.2?
GPT-5.2 has the edge for math in this comparison, averaging 35.2 versus 4.1. Inside this category, FrontierMath v2 (Tiers 1-3) is the benchmark that creates the most daylight between them.
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