Z.ai: GLM 5.3
Z.ai's GLM 5.3 is capable of handling text inputs within an extensive context length of 1048576 tokens and supports reasoning and tools, making it suitable for complex tasks that require deeper analysis. This model excels in AI index benchmarks, particularly coding with a perfect score, indicating its robust performance across various applications. For those prioritizing both affordability and performance without the need for structured output or open-source models, Z.ai's GLM 5.3 is a strong contender. Its blended benchmark score of 99.2 makes it a reliable choice, but given its pricing at $1.4 per million input tokens and $4.4 per million output tokens, users must weigh these costs against their specific needs.
Benchmark results
Independent, published benchmarks. Blended score 99.2 across 3 benchmarks, last refreshed 2026-08-19. How scoring works →
| Benchmark | Measures | Score |
|---|---|---|
| AI Index | broad capability composite | 98.2 |
| AI Index Coding | software engineering tasks | 100.0 |
| AI Index Agentic | multi-step tool-using tasks | 97.5 |
- Model ID
- z-ai/glm-5.3
- Vendor
- z-ai
- Released
- August 2026
- Tokenizer
- Other
- Input Modalities
- text
- Output Modalities
- text
- Max Output
- 131,072 tokens
- Tool Calling
- ✓ supported
- Structured Output
- ✓ supported
- Reasoning Mode
- ✓ supported
- Vision
- text only
- Audio
- no
- Moderated
- no
What it costs in practice
Computed from the current $1.40/M input and $4.40/M output rates. Run your own numbers →
| Job | Tokens | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Summarize a 50-page report | 30k in / 1.5k out | $0.05 |
| Classify 1,000 customer emails | 500k in / 50k out | $0.92 |
| A month of a busy support chatbot | 5M in / 2M out | $15.80 |
Category rankings
Where Z.ai: GLM 5.3 places across the 8 categories it ranks in. How we rank →
| # | Category | Score |
|---|---|---|
| #14 | Function / Tool CallingAgents · of 25 ranked | 155 |
| #17 | Data AnalysisData · of 25 ranked | 174 |
| #18 | Financial AnalysisProfessional · of 25 ranked | 161 |
| #20 | Agent WorkflowsAgents · of 25 ranked | 197 |
| #20 | Coding AgentsAgents · of 25 ranked | 197 |
| #21 | SQL GenerationCode · of 25 ranked | 173 |
| #21 | Bug FixingCode · of 25 ranked | 184 |
| #21 | Scientific CodingResearch · of 25 ranked | 184 |
Similar models
Z.ai: GLM 5.2 (batch)
Z.ai: GLM 5 Turbo
Z.ai: GLM 5.2
Z.ai: GLM 5.1
Z.ai: GLM 5
Z.ai: GLM 4.6
Quick answers
- How much does Z.ai: GLM 5.3 cost?
- $1.40 per million input tokens and $4.40 per million output tokens.
- What is Z.ai: GLM 5.3's context window?
- 1,048,576 tokens, roughly 1,572 pages of text in a single request.
- Does Z.ai: GLM 5.3 support tool calling?
- It supports tool calling, structured output, a reasoning mode.
- Can Z.ai: GLM 5.3 process images?
- No, it is text-only on the input side.