How billing works
Last updated: May 4, 2026
How billing works
Grep charges for research based on the real work each task performs. When you start a task, Grep reserves a minimum amount so the task can begin. When the task finishes, Grep reconciles the reservation against the task's actual token usage and charges the real final cost.
Credits and dollars
Grep uses credits for subscription plans and dollars for Pay-As-You-Go wallets.
1 credit = 0.20 USD.
That means:
Amount | Equivalent |
|---|---|
1 credit | 0.20 USD |
10 credits | 2.00 USD |
20 credits | 4.00 USD |
100 credits | 20.00 USD |
If your plan includes credits, tasks spend from your credit balance. If you use Pay-As-You-Go, tasks spend from your prepaid wallet.
What happens when you start a task
When you click Run, Grep reserves a minimum amount based on the research depth you selected.
Research depth | Minimum reservation |
|---|---|
Low effort | 2 credits or 0.40 USD |
Deep | 20 credits or 4.00 USD |
Ultra deep | 100 credits or 20.00 USD |
Follow-up question | 10 credits or 2.00 USD |
This reservation is not always the final cost. It is the minimum amount held when the task starts so Grep can begin the work without interrupting your workflow.
What happens after the task finishes
After a task completes, Grep checks the task's actual token usage and reconciles the final charge to the real cost of the task.
If the actual cost is lower than the reserved amount, Grep releases or refunds the unused amount back to your account. If the actual cost is higher than the reserved amount, Grep charges the additional amount so the final charge matches the real task cost.
For example:
Task | Minimum reservation | Final actual cost | What happens after completion |
|---|---|---|---|
Short low-effort task | 2 credits | 1 credit | 1 credit is returned |
Typical deep task | 20 credits | 8 credits | 12 credits are returned |
Large ultra-deep task | 100 credits | 145 credits | 45 additional credits are charged |
The amount reserved at the start is not a price cap. The final cost is based on the task's actual token usage.
Minimum task cost
Completed tasks have a minimum reconciled cost of 1 credit, or 0.20 USD, even when token usage is very small. This covers the fixed cost of running and storing the result.
Failed or canceled tasks
If a task fails before it can complete, Grep refunds the reserved credits or wallet amount. If you cancel a task while it is already running, the final cost may depend on how much work was completed before cancellation.
If something looks wrong, contact support with the task name or approximate run time and we can review the charge.
Where to see charges and refunds
Open Settings → Billing → Activity Log to see your usage history. The activity log shows task charges, refunds, wallet top-ups, subscription credits, and other billing events.
For each task, look for:
The minimum reservation when the task started.
Any returned amount or additional charge after the task completed.
The final net cost after reconciliation.
Pay-As-You-Go wallet notes
Pay-As-You-Go uses a prepaid wallet instead of monthly credits.
Minimum wallet deposit: 20 USD.
Wallet funds are used task by task.
Optional auto top-up can add funds when your balance gets low.
Wallet balances expire 365 days after deposit.
Premium data tools require at least 50 USD in wallet balance.
Common questions
Why did Grep reserve more at the start than the task finally cost? The first amount is a minimum reservation. Grep reconciles after completion and returns unused credits or wallet balance.
Why did my low-effort task still cost 1 credit? Completed tasks have a 1-credit minimum.
Can a task cost more than the starting reservation? Yes. The amount reserved when the task starts is not a price cap. Grep charges the real final cost based on actual token usage.
Do subscription credits roll over? No. Pro and Ultra credits reset each billing period. Pay-As-You-Go wallet balances are separate and expire 365 days after deposit.