# Claude Opus 5.5: Features, Pricing and How to Access

By Schnalz.net · 21 October 2026

https://schnalz.net/ai-guides/claude-opus-5-5-features-pricing-and-how-to-access

> Claude Opus 5.5 is Anthropic's flagship language model for complex coding, computer use, and research tasks. It runs 30 percent faster and costs 40 percent less than Claude Opus 5.

## In short

- Claude Opus 5.5 costs 40 percent less than Opus 5 on typical workloads.
- Standard pricing is $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens.
- Fast mode increases output speed up to 2.5 times in supported developer environments.
- Users can access the model via Anthropic subscriptions, the Claude Platform, and Microsoft Copilot Premium.

## What is Claude Opus 5.5?

Claude Opus 5.5 is an advanced artificial intelligence model developed by Anthropic. It is the initial model released in the Claude 5.5 family and performs at the level of Claude Fable 5.1 across most tasks.

Anthropic reports that Claude Opus 5.5 leads in agentic coding, computer use, and knowledge work. It was tested prior to launch by external evaluators, including METR and Frontier Design.

**Claude Opus 5.5 at a glance**

- **Developer**: Anthropic
- **Model family**: Claude 5.5
- **Standard input price**: $4 per million tokens
- **Standard output price**: $20 per million tokens
- **Cache read price**: $0.20 per million tokens
- **Availability**: Claude Platform, Claude Code, Copilot Premium

- **40%** Cost reduction vs Opus 5
- **30%+** Faster generation vs Opus 5
- **2.5x** Maximum speed in Fast mode

## How much does Claude Opus 5.5 cost?

Claude Opus 5.5 costs $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens for standard API usage. This represents a 20 percent decrease in base token pricing compared to Claude Opus 5.

Cache reads cost $0.20 per million tokens, which Anthropic notes is a 60 percent drop from the previous generation. Cache writes are priced at $6.25 per million tokens.

For faster turnaround, Anthropic provides a Fast mode in Claude Code and the Claude Platform. Fast mode operates at up to 2.5 times the speed and costs $8 per million input tokens and $40 per million output tokens.

**Token pricing comparison between Claude Opus 5.5 and Claude Opus 5**

| Operation | Claude Opus 5.5 | Claude Opus 5 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Input tokens (per 1M) | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| Output tokens (per 1M) | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Cache reads (per 1M) | $0.20 | $0.50 |
| Cache writes (per 1M) | $6.25 | Not stated |
| Fast mode input (per 1M) | $8.00 | Not stated |
| Fast mode output (per 1M) | $40.00 | Not stated |

## What are the key capabilities of Claude Opus 5.5?

Claude Opus 5.5 specializes in software engineering, large-scale codebase refactoring, and natural workplace communication. Anthropic states that its communication style places critical information up front, making outputs easier to review.

During early testing, the model completed a 680,000-line code migration in less than a day. In another test, Claude Opus 5.5 audited and corrected a 200,000-line codebase in under three hours, using 2.5 times fewer tokens than Claude Opus 5.

Anthropic also tested the model on translating HAProxy from C to Rust. Claude Opus 5.5 finished the task in 9.5 hours compared to 12 hours for Claude Fable 5.1, while cutting costs by 51 percent.

**Good for**

- Large-scale software audits and migrations
- Web application load-time optimizations
- Agentic coding and computer use workflows
- Concise, structured workplace writing

**Not ideal for**

- Unverified biology and cyber research teams
- Teams requiring unconstrained safeguards

## How to access Claude Opus 5.5

Claude Opus 5.5 is available through multiple official Anthropic channels and third-party partner integrations. Users can run the model depending on their subscription tier or developer environment.

- Anthropic user plans: Available on Claude Pro, Max, Team, and seat-based Enterprise subscriptions, which feature expanded five-hour limits and a savable rate limit reset.
- Developer tools: Available directly within Claude Code and the Claude Platform API, including the option to enable Fast mode.
- Microsoft Copilot: Available to subscribers holding a Copilot Premium plan, as reported by Geeky Gadgets.
- Verification programs: Accessible to qualified groups applying to Anthropic's Life Sciences Verification Program and Cyber Verification Program.

> **Tip**: Subscription users on Anthropic plans now receive a rate limit reset feature that can be saved and activated when needed during demanding workflows.

## What safeguards and limits apply to Claude Opus 5.5?

Claude Opus 5.5 achieved the highest score to date on Anthropic's automated behavioral audit alignment suite. It shows greater resistance to prompt injection and is less likely to take hard-to-reverse actions without instruction.

Because its biology and cybersecurity capabilities match Claude Mythos 5.1, Anthropic restricts high-risk use behind vetting programs. When safety safeguards trigger during benchmarks, tasks fall back to Claude Opus 4.8 for cybersecurity and Claude Opus 5 for biology.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Claude Opus 5.5?

Claude Opus 5.5 is Anthropic's flagship AI model in the Claude 5.5 family. It is built for complex coding, computer use, and analytical knowledge work.

### How much does Claude Opus 5.5 cost?

Claude Opus 5.5 costs $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens for standard API requests. Cache reads cost $0.20 per million tokens, while Fast mode costs $8 for inputs and $40 for outputs per million tokens.

### Can you use Claude Opus 5.5 in Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot integrates Claude Opus 5.5 for users with an active Copilot Premium subscription. Geeky Gadgets reports that it was added alongside other frontier models to assist with complex tasks across productivity apps.

### How does Claude Opus 5.5 compare to Claude Opus 5?

Claude Opus 5.5 costs 40 percent less on typical workloads and generates responses over 30 percent faster than Claude Opus 5. It also uses fewer tokens per task and offers improved resistance to prompt injection.

### What is Fast mode for Claude Opus 5.5?

Fast mode is a high-speed option for Claude Opus 5.5 available in Claude Code and the Claude Platform. It delivers speeds up to 2.5 times faster than standard mode at a rate of $8 per million input tokens and $40 per million output tokens.

## Sources

- [Anthropic: Introducing Claude Opus 5.5](https://www.anthropic.com/claude-opus-5-5)
- [Geeky Gadgets: New Microsoft Copilot Features Added in October 2026](https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/microsoft-copilot-new-features-october/)