agents benchmark
NanoGPT Leaderboard
NanoGPT is an OpenAI AI-self-improvement evaluation that measures whether models can optimize training recipes for small GPT-style models, part of the suite tracking progress toward accelerating internal research.
Updated Aug 17, 2026
Models3
Model coverage3
MetricScore
EvidenceB
NanoGPT Ranking
Higher score ranks better on this benchmark.
Sort by
Rank | Model | Score | Percentile | Participants | Evidence | Evaluated |
|---|
| Rank01 | ModelOP | Score14.5% | Percentile100.0% | Participants3 | EvidenceC | Evaluated |
| Rank02 | ModelOP | Score9.7% | Percentile50.0% | Participants3 | EvidenceC | Evaluated |
| Rank03 | ModelOP | Score1.7% | Percentile0.0% | Participants3 | EvidenceC | Evaluated |
NanoGPT Highlights
The leading models and scores on this benchmark.
NanoGPT Score Distribution
A closer view of the leading scores on this benchmark.
The Top AI Models for NanoGPT
The first five results on this benchmark, with official price and output speed added where the model identity can be matched.
Ranking basisThis nanogpt AI model leaderboard uses descending score in the benchmark's original unit. The leaderboard ranking keeps matched price and speed data separate from benchmark evidence.
- 01OPGPT-5.6 TerraOpenAI
- Score
- 14.5%
- Price
- $2.0 input / $12 output per 1M tokens
- Speed
- Up to 35 tok/s via OpenAI
Strengths
- Ranks #1 of 3 compared models
- 100th percentile on this benchmark
- C evidence result
Considerations
- This result measures NanoGPT, not total model capability
- 02OPGPT-5.6 SolOpenAI
- Score
- 9.7%
- Price
- $5.0 input / $30 output per 1M tokens
- Speed
- Up to 27 tok/s via OpenAI
Strengths
- Ranks #2 of 3 compared models
- 50th percentile on this benchmark
- C evidence result
Considerations
- This result measures NanoGPT, not total model capability
- 03OPGPT-5.6 LunaOpenAI
- Score
- 1.7%
- Price
- $0.20 input / $1.2 output per 1M tokens
- Speed
- Up to 49 tok/s via OpenAI
Strengths
- Ranks #3 of 3 compared models
- 0th percentile on this benchmark
- C evidence result
Considerations
- This result measures NanoGPT, not total model capability
Selection summary
Best AI Models for NanoGPT
GPT-5.6 Terra currently leads NanoGPT with 14.5%. It is the top model on this specific benchmark, while the best LLM for the broader task should also be checked against other benchmarks, price and runtime.
Use this leaderboard with the supporting benchmark results and coverage details above. A leaderboard position summarizes the selected ranking signal; it does not replace workload-specific testing.
What is NanoGPT?
What NanoGPT measures and how its scores work.
NanoGPT is an OpenAI AI-self-improvement evaluation that measures whether models can optimize training recipes for small GPT-style models, part of the suite tracking progress toward accelerating internal research.
Scores are shown in ratio. This benchmark is not independently verified and has an evidence level of B.
- Family
- NanoGPT
- Modality
- text
- Primary category
- agents
- Score direction
- higher
- LLMBoard eligible
- Yes
- Evaluation key
- nanogpt|llm-stats-current
Benchmark scores retain their original unit. Overall score eligibility is shown separately.
FAQ
Common questions about NanoGPT.
Which model scores highest on NanoGPT?
GPT-5.6 Terra is currently ranked first with 14.5%.
What does NanoGPT measure?
NanoGPT is an OpenAI AI-self-improvement evaluation that measures whether models can optimize training recipes for small GPT-style models, part of the suite tracking progress toward accelerating internal research.
Is a higher score better?
Yes. Higher values rank better for this benchmark.
How many models are compared?
3 model results are currently shown.
Does this benchmark affect the overall score?
Yes. This benchmark can contribute to the current LLMBoard capability score.