Updated · Methodology: named formula library
Agent Autonomy Cost
Estimate cost of multi-step agent workflows (tool use + reasoning).
Tokens/Step to Steps = 500:1 (500 as decimal).
Agent Cost
Multi-step agents amplify token usage 5–20× vs single-shot. Each tool-use step adds latency and cost; reasoning agents that retry often hit $0.50–$5 per task. Cap step count to control runaway spend.
Worked Example
5000 Tokens/Step to 10 Steps
- a
- 5000
- b
- 10
- Result
- 500:1 (500.00)
5000 / 10 = 500.00. Simplified: 500:1.
When to Use This Calculator
- Budget Claude Agent SDK applications
Limitations & Common Mistakes
- Results are estimates based on the inputs you provide.
- Always verify with current data and consult a professional for major decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Agent Autonomy Cost computed?
Tokens/Step divided by Steps, plus a simplified ratio (e.g., 4:3) using greatest common divisor. Both decimal and ratio forms are useful in different contexts: decimal for math, ratio form for comparisons or recipe scaling.
What does Tokens/Step:Steps mean?
It's a comparison: for every Steps unit, you have a corresponding amount of Tokens/Step. Useful when the absolute numbers matter less than the proportion (e.g., reading 8:1 LTV/CAC immediately tells you the unit economics are healthy without needing the dollar amounts).
Why simplify the ratio?
4:3 is more readable than 200:150. The simplified form (using greatest common divisor) preserves the proportion while making it easier to interpret. Common simplified ratios: 16:9 (widescreen), 4:3 (legacy displays), 3:1 (LTV:CAC for SaaS).
When is a ratio more useful than the absolute values?
Comparison across scales. A $1B company and a $1M company can both have a 3:1 LTV:CAC; the ratio reveals comparable unit economics regardless of scale. Use ratios for benchmarking; use absolute numbers for budgeting.
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