Grok 4.5 launched on July 8, 2026 at $2 per million input tokens and $6 per million output tokens. You do not need to pay that immediately to evaluate it: xAI has a limited-time free window, Cursor is doubling usage for launch week, and there are a few practical paths for API testing.
Use the options below based on what you want to test: editor coding, terminal workflows, or API integration. Two of these offers are temporary, and Cursor’s launch-week allowance expires around July 15.
Path 1: Use Grok Build during the official free window
xAI’s release page says: “We’re offering free Grok 4.5 usage for a limited time in Grok Build and Cursor.”
Grok Build is xAI’s agentic workspace, and Grok 4.5 is currently the default model there. This is the simplest path if you want to try the model for coding tasks, app scaffolding, or document-style work.
Steps
- Open the Grok 4.5 release page at x.ai.
- Launch Grok Build, or install the Grok CLI:
curl -fsSL https://x.ai/cli/install.sh | bash
- Sign in with an xAI account.
- Start a task. Grok 4.5 should be selected by default.
When to use this path
Use Grok Build if you want the fastest way to test Grok 4.5 without setting up API keys or editor integrations.
Limitations
The free window has no published end date. Treat it as a launch promotion, not a permanent free tier.
Also, Grok 4.5 is not available in the EU yet in any xAI product. xAI expects EU access around mid-July.
Path 2: Use Cursor with doubled launch-week usage
Grok 4.5 is available in Cursor on all paid plans as part of the first-party model pool. It works across desktop, web, iOS, CLI, and the SDK.
For the first week after release, Cursor is doubling Grok 4.5 usage allowances. Since Grok 4.5 launched on July 8, this promotion runs until around July 15, 2026.
Steps
- Update Cursor to the latest version.
- Open the model picker.
- Select Grok 4.5.
- Use it in Chat, Composer, CLI, or other Cursor workflows.
For a more detailed setup, see the full Cursor setup guide.
When to use this path
Use Cursor if you already pay for it and want Grok 4.5 directly inside your editor. This is likely the best value during launch week because the extra usage is included with your existing subscription.
Limitations
This is only “free” if you already have a paid Cursor plan. It is not a standalone free Grok 4.5 option.
Path 3: Use xAI console trial credits for API testing
If you want API access instead of a chat or coding workspace, start with the xAI console.
New accounts have received trial credits at signup, with reported amounts ranging from $25 to $150 depending on timing and promotions.
At Grok 4.5’s pricing, even $25 can cover a meaningful evaluation. That is roughly 4 million output tokens, depending on how you use them.
xAI also reports that Grok 4.5 solves SWE Bench Pro tasks with about 15,954 output tokens on average, less than a quarter of what Opus 4.8 max uses.
Steps
- Create an account in the xAI console.
- Open the billing page and check whether you received trial credits.
- Generate an API key.
- Make your first API request.
- Track token usage while testing.
For implementation details, follow the Grok 4.5 API guide.
Example workflow for API evaluation
Instead of repeatedly running one-off curl commands, create a small test plan:
- Define your main use cases.
- Save each request.
- Add assertions for response status, schema, and required fields.
- Mock responses for frontend work.
- Only call the real API when you need model output.
You can do this in Apidog by saving requests, adding assertions, and mocking response shapes. You can also download Apidog for free.
Limitations
Trial credit amounts are not guaranteed and may change without notice. Always verify your account balance before planning a larger evaluation.
Path 4: Use the Grok CLI
xAI is also promoting a terminal-first workflow through the Grok CLI.
Install it with:
curl -fsSL https://x.ai/cli/install.sh | bash
The CLI uses the same free Grok Build window as Path 1. While that promotion is active, you can test Grok 4.5 for agentic coding directly from your terminal.
For more context, see the Grok CLI guide.
When to use this path
Use the CLI if you prefer terminal-native workflows or want something closer to a Claude Code-style experience with Grok 4.5.
Limitations
The free access depends on the same undated “limited time” Grok Build promotion. You are also working inside xAI’s tooling rather than your own API client.
What does not work yet
Do not spend time chasing these options if your goal is free Grok 4.5 access:
- The free Grok tier on X or grok.com: as of July 9, it still serves lighter models with daily message caps. There is no stated Grok 4.5 access on the free consumer tier.
- OpenRouter free access: Grok 4.5 is listed on OpenRouter, but at standard paid rates. OpenRouter helps with unified routing and billing, not free usage.
- EU access: EU users are blocked on all paths above until roughly mid-July. This is an xAI availability issue, not a billing issue.
Which path should you choose?
| You are | Best path |
|---|---|
| Curious and have no subscriptions | Grok Build free window |
| Already paying for Cursor | Cursor doubled launch-week usage |
| Evaluating the API for a product | xAI console credits + Apidog |
| Terminal-native | Grok CLI |
If you are deciding whether Grok 4.5 deserves a paid slot in your stack, start with what Grok 4.5 is and then review Grok 4.5 pricing before the free windows close.
FAQ
Is Grok 4.5 free right now?
Yes, in Grok Build and Cursor for a limited time. API access is paid, except for any trial credits available in your xAI console account.
How long does the free period last?
xAI has not published an end date for the Grok Build free window. Cursor’s doubled usage runs for the first week after the July 8 release, so plan around July 15.
Can I get the Grok 4.5 API for free permanently?
No. Trial credits are one-time. After that, pricing is $2 per million input tokens and $6 per million output tokens. See the pricing breakdown for cost planning.
Does the X free tier include Grok 4.5?
Not as of this writing. The consumer free tier uses lighter models with daily caps.
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