Consumption Pricing Explained
Carbon Arc's pricing model is built for precision, predictability, and scale. This guide outlines the principles behind our consumption-based model, how pricing is calculated, and how the two token types work together.
For billing support, please contact support@carbonarc.co.
Overview: How Pricing Works
Carbon Arc pricing is primarily driven by the data returned to you. You are metered based on the output of your queries — not on compute, ETL, or upstream processing independently.
Pay for What You Use
Every query is metered based on the size and scope of the data returned. This ensures buyers only pay for what they consume.
Core Pricing Formula
Each API call calculates an estimated price using this formula:
Price = (Tokens per megabyte) × (megabytes per record) × (Total Records)
- Records — the rows returned in the purchase
- Total Records — the row count of the data asset
- Megabytes per Record — the average megabytes per record across tables available in the data asset
- Tokens/megabyte Rate — defined by the data asset
The platform enforces a minimum query price of 4.99 tokens. Any query whose calculated price falls below this threshold is rounded up to 4.99.
For a detailed step-by-step walkthrough of the formula with worked examples, see Framework Pricing.
Token Types at a Glance
Carbon Arc uses two distinct token systems depending on how you access data.
Platform Tokens
Platform tokens are used to purchase frameworks via the Builder, SDK, or API. They are shared at the account level, meaning all team members draw from the same balance. Platform tokens are stored across two wallets:
- Primary Wallet — Funded directly by the user at $1 USD per token. Tokens in the Primary Wallet never expire and are non-refundable. Primary Wallet tokens are consumed after Promotional Wallet tokens have been exhausted.
- Promotional Wallet — Tokens allocated monthly based on your subscription plan. Promotional Wallet tokens expire at the end of each month and are consumed first.
For details on how framework purchases are priced, see Framework Pricing.
MCP Tokens
- Used to access data through Carbon Arc's MCP Server (via Lenses or a non-native LLM such as Claude or ChatGPT)
- Daily allotment resets at 12:00 AM Eastern Time; unused daily tokens expire at refresh
- Primary MCP Tokens can be purchased separately — they never expire and are consumed only after the daily allotment is exhausted
For details on MCP token consumption, daily limits, and which tools consume tokens, see MCP Pricing.
Framework Repurchasing
Once a framework is purchased, you own it. Re-buying the same framework will yield a price of zero tokens — there is no additional charge for buying a framework that you already own.
However, the framework must be identical across all filters (entity, insight, date range, spatial filters, etc.). If you change any parameter — for example, the dates queried — it will be treated as a new framework configuration and will trigger a new price.
FAQs
What does consumption pricing mean?
Consumption pricing allows you to only pay for what you actually consume. You can fund a wallet with Carbon Arc tokens using a credit card or ACH.
Can I spend more than I have in my wallet?
No. You cannot spend more tokens than you have in the wallet. This prevents accidental spend greater than what you might have budgeted for or expected.
Can I estimate how much a framework or query will be before I buy it?
Yes. In the Builder and querying via the Carbon Arc python package allows you to see the price of a framework or query before you purchase the underlying data.
Why is the minimum price per query 4.99 tokens?
We implement a minimum price per query of 4.99 tokens to maintain a simple and more auditable transaction ledger, eliminating micro-transactions, and ensuring you have greater predictability as you manage your wallet.
For more help, contact support@carbonarc.co