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OpenRouter free models

The free router slug is openrouter/free. Named free models use a :free suffix. Both still require an account, and a negative balance blocks them.

Updated 2026-09-27

OpenRouter publishes a collection of free models and a single slug, openrouter/free, described as a router that selects a free model at random from those available for the request. On 27 Sep 2026 the models API listed that router with a 200,000-token context and a $0 prompt and completion price.

Two ways to call a free model

  • model: openrouter/free — you accept whichever free model fits.
  • model: a specific slug ending in :free — you name the model, and you only get that one.

Examples present in the catalog that day included google/gemma-4-31b-it:free, nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b:free, qwen/qwen3.8-27b:free, poolside/laguna-s-2.1:free, and thinkingmachines/inkling:free. The list changes. Read the free-models collection before you hard-code a slug.

Free is not unlimited

Free endpoints are rate limited. They are also unavailable when the account balance is negative. A key with no credits and no debt can call them. A key that has overspent cannot, until the balance is positive again.

Free AI API keys

The key itself is free to create at openrouter.ai/settings/keys. It starts with sk-or-v1-. Creating the key does not grant a dollar balance. Paid slugs spend credits. Free slugs spend the free quota. Treat the key like a password: it can spend any credits you later add.

DeepSeek’s old deepseek-chat:free slug was not in the free catalog on 27 Sep 2026. Cheap DeepSeek routes are listed on the V4 Flash page.

Questions

What is the free AI API on OpenRouter?

Use the base URL https://openrouter.ai/api/v1 with your key and the model openrouter/free, or a slug that ends in :free.

Are OpenRouter free models anonymous?

No. You sign in and create a key. Requests are tied to that account.

Can I use a free model inside another app?

Yes, if that app lets you set an OpenAI-compatible base URL and a model id. Point it at OpenRouter and set the model to openrouter/free or a :free slug.

Related

  • OpenRouter API URL

    The OpenRouter base URL is https://openrouter.ai/api/v1. Chat calls go to /chat/completions with a Bearer key.

  • OpenRouter pricing and credits

    OpenRouter credits are a prepaid dollar balance. Buying credits costs 5.5% ($0.80 minimum). Inference uses each provider’s own token price.

  • DeepSeek V4 Flash price

    DeepSeek V4 Flash 0731 was $0.021 / $0.32 per million tokens on 27 Sep 2026. The 0423 slug was $0.047 / $0.094. Neither was the free router.

  • Janitor AI and OpenRouter

    Janitor AI can use OpenRouter as an OpenAI-compatible API. The base URL is https://openrouter.ai/api/v1. That is the proxy. It is not a VPN.

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