How long does the OpenAI batch API actually take?

It depends on the model. The median ranges from 77s (gpt-5.6-sol) to 49 min (gpt-5.6-luna) across the 3 models we have measured, over the last 30 days.

Is that faster than OpenAI's 24-hour window?

Far faster for the typical job. OpenAI guarantees completion within 24 hours; the measured medians above are minutes, not hours. The 24-hour window is the contract, not the experience.

How long does the OpenAI batch API take? - measured

The answer

We have measured this. Across the 3 OpenAI models we have enough completions for, the median wait ranges from 77s (gpt-5.6-sol) to 49 min (gpt-5.6-luna). Nine in ten gpt-5.6-sol jobs finished within 22 min. Every figure carries n and a confidence grade on its own page.

OpenAI promises only "within 24 hours" - a ceiling, not a typical wait. The measured medians above are what jobs actually get, and they are why batching is worth the wait for most workloads.

Questions this answers

How long does the OpenAI batch API actually take?: It depends on the model. The median ranges from 77s (gpt-5.6-sol) to 49 min (gpt-5.6-luna) across the 3 models we have measured, over the last 30 days.
Is that faster than OpenAI's 24-hour window?: Far faster for the typical job. OpenAI guarantees completion within 24 hours; the measured medians above are minutes, not hours. The 24-hour window is the contract, not the experience.

See it live

Every number here is measured, and it is all public.

The live dashboard shows every model with its distribution, n and confidence grade. /v1/coverage is the same data as JSON, no key required. Contributing five measurements in seven days cuts the public delay to five minutes and unlocks the decision endpoints (/v1/should-i-batch, /v1/estimate-batchtime).

How long does the OpenAI batch API take?

The answer

Questions this answers

See it live

Every number here is measured, and it is all public.

More questions we have measured the answer to