From Tokens to Teaspoons: What a Prompt Really Costs
TL;DR for operators A Google paper on Gemini Apps reports that the median text prompt in May 2025 consumed 0.24 Wh, generated 0.03 gCO2e, and consumed 0.26 mL of water under a comprehensive production-serving measurement boundary.1 That is small. Very small. Less “boil the kettle” and more “squint at a television for nine seconds.” ...