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What does tokens per second mean?
Tokens per second is how fast an AI writes its answer, counted in small pieces of text called tokens.
- Category Benchmarks
- Also called tokens/s, tok/s
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Tokens per second, explained simply
A token is a small chunk of text, like part of a word. Tokens per second counts how many the AI produces each second.
A higher number means the answer streams out faster. Lower is slower.
This matters when you wait for long answers, like a big piece of code or a long summary.
Speed depends on the model, the computer running it, and how busy it is. A faster model isn't always a better one.
On ITG Now, the AI models page shows output speed in tokens per second, next to quality scores.
Related terms
TokenLatencyInferenceGPUBenchmarkLocal AI
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Questions people ask about Tokens per second
Is a higher tokens per second number better?
Yes for speed. It means the text appears faster, but it says nothing about quality.
How many words is a token?
A token is often a bit less than one word. Short words may be one token, and long words may be several.
Does my computer change tokens per second?
Yes, if you run a model locally. A stronger graphics chip and more memory usually help.