Best AI Model for Math and Reasoning (2026)
Ranked by the math category of Text Arena, which covers problem solving and step by step reasoning prompts.
Best quality
Highest Text Arena math score. Shown as a 0 to 100 relative score.
Highest Text Arena math rating of the 24 models we price. $4.00 per 1M tokens blended.
Ranked 2 of 24, relative score 94. $20.00 per 1M tokens blended.
Ranked 3 of 24, relative score 88. $10.00 per 1M tokens blended.
Best value
Relative score divided by blended price. Only models at or above the median of the models we price qualify.
Relative score 40 for $0.53 per 1M tokens, 8x cheaper than Gemini 4 Argon.
Relative score 88 for $1.50 per 1M tokens, 3x cheaper than Gemini 4 Argon.
Relative score 56 for $2.00 per 1M tokens, 2x cheaper than Gemini 4 Argon.
About the 0 to 100 score: Relative score: 100 is the top model we price on Text Arena math, 0 is the 50th ranked model on the full leaderboard. Raw scores differ by leaderboard, so we rescale them.
Leaderboard used: Text Arena math.
Scores: LMArena Text Arena math, leaderboard published Oct 15, 2026, via the LMArena leaderboard dataset (CC BY 4.0). Prices: our API prices table. Checked Oct 16, 2026.
How we pick
Quality is the LMArena score for each task, built from blind side by side human votes. Where a model is listed at several effort levels we use its best one. Value divides the score above the 50th ranked model on that leaderboard by the blended price, (3 x input + output) / 4 per 1M tokens, and only counts models at or above the median score of the models we price. Local picks use the same Text Arena score and the Q4 download size. Close scores are often inside the margin of error, so treat ranks 1 to 3 as a shortlist, not a final verdict.
Other good references: SWE-bench for fixing real code issues, Aider leaderboards for code editing, and each provider's model card.
FAQ
Which AI model is best at math?
Gemini 4 Argon has the top Text Arena math score among the models we price. DeepSeek V4.1 Flash is the best value.
Are reasoning settings counted?
Yes. When a model is listed at several effort levels, we use its best listed setting, which also costs more tokens per answer.
Other tasks
Coding · Chat · Creative writing · Roleplay and characters · Vision · Long documents · Cheap bulk and agents · Local and private
Compare every price on API prices, or find what runs on your own hardware with the local model finder.