Claude Opus 4.6 vs Sonnet 4.6: Full Comparison
Opus 4.6 is the flagship model with 128K max output, while Sonnet 4.6 offers the best speed-intelligence balance at lower cost. Both models now support adaptive thinking. Opus excels at complex, multi-step reasoning tasks, while Sonnet 4.6 is the default for Claude Code and ideal for production workloads.
| Spec | Claude Opus 4.6 | Claude Sonnet 4.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Context Window | 200K | 200K |
| Max Output | 128K | 64K |
| Vision | ||
| Extended Thinking | ||
| Adaptive Thinking | ||
| Input Price | $5/MTok | $3/MTok |
| Output Price | $25/MTok | $15/MTok |
Choose Opus 4.6 for the most complex reasoning, research, and multi-file coding tasks. Choose Sonnet 4.6 for everyday development — it is the default for Claude Code and offers 40% lower cost with adaptive thinking.
What is the main difference between Claude Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6?
Opus 4.6 has 128K max output (vs 64K) and superior complex reasoning. Both now support adaptive thinking. Sonnet 4.6 is faster and 40% cheaper, making it the best choice for production workloads and the default for Claude Code.
Which model is better for coding tasks?
Opus 4.6 excels at complex, multi-file coding tasks. Sonnet 4.6 is the new default for Claude Code, replacing Sonnet 4.5 with a 70% user preference win rate. For most coding tasks, Sonnet 4.6 delivers excellent results at lower cost.
How much does Claude Opus 4.6 cost compared to Sonnet 4.6?
Opus 4.6 costs $5/$25 per MTok (input/output), while Sonnet 4.6 costs $3/$15 per MTok. Opus is about 67% more expensive, but offers 128K max output and deeper reasoning for the most complex tasks.