Compare the listed model data for Qwen3 8B by Qwen and Qwen3.5 9B by Qwen. Benchmark and pricing records are not a controlled test and may change.
Data last updated: 2026-10-16. Verify current model details with each provider.
What the listed data says
Qwen3 8B: 128K tokens; Qwen3.5 9B: 128K tokens. The listed context-window values are equal. Qwen3 8B is listed for coding, reasoning, long-context tasks; Qwen3.5 9B is listed for no specific capability flags. Shared catalog benchmark entries: MMLU: Qwen3 8B 87.5%; Qwen3.5 9B 88.5%; HumanEval: Qwen3 8B 85.6%; Qwen3.5 9B 86.9%; MATH: Qwen3 8B 88.0%; Qwen3.5 9B 90.2%. These records are reference data, not a controlled head-to-head test; verify current pricing and specifications with each provider.
Catalog source links
Use these model and provider links to verify current specifications, pricing, and availability.
The first listed parameter quantities are 8B and 9B; the larger quantity is 1.13× the smaller. Total and active MoE parameters are not directly equivalent.
A release-date gap cannot be calculated from the catalog values (Qwen3 8B: April 2025; Qwen3.5 9B: 2025).
Cost example: 1M input and 1M output tokens
A cost example for 1M input plus 1M output tokens cannot be calculated reliably because separate numeric input and output rates are not listed for both models.
Choose Qwen3 8B if…
Choose Qwen3 8B when your task aligns with catalog-listed uses or strengths such as Fast everyday coding assistance in Python, JS, and TypeScript, Multilingual chatbots targeting Asian and African markets, Edge deployment and cost-sensitive production APIs, Student homework help across 119 languages.
Choose Qwen3.5 9B if…
Choose Qwen3.5 9B when your task aligns with catalog-listed uses or strengths such as Consumer and edge deployment with improved Qwen3.5 quality, Next-generation after Qwen3 8B, Enhanced performance at 9B scale, Apache 2.0.
Catalog specifications for Qwen3 8B and Qwen3.5 9B
Specification
Qwen3 8B
Qwen3.5 9B
Provider
Qwen
Qwen
Parameters
8B
9B
Context window
128K tokens
128K tokens
Maximum output
Not listed
Not listed
Catalog pricing
Open source — free to download. API access via third-party providers ~$0.05-0.15/MTok
Apache 2.0 — free
Listed input/output cost per 1M tokens
Separate numeric input/output rates not listed
input $0.1, output $0.3 per 1M tokens
License
Apache 2.0
Apache 2.0
Coding support
Listed
Not listed
Reasoning support
Listed
Not listed
Vision input
Not listed
Not listed
Multimodal
Not listed
Not listed
Open weights
Yes
Yes
Benchmark: MMLU
87.5%
88.5%
Benchmark: HumanEval
85.6%
86.9%
Benchmark: MATH
88.0%
90.2%
Figures are transcribed from LITHOVEX model records. Benchmark versions and evaluation setups may differ; pricing and specifications can change. Check each provider's current documentation before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is different between Qwen3 8B and Qwen3.5 9B?
Qwen3 8B: 128K tokens; Qwen3.5 9B: 128K tokens. The listed context-window values are equal. Qwen3 8B is listed for coding, reasoning, long-context tasks; Qwen3.5 9B is listed for no specific capability flags. Shared catalog benchmark entries: MMLU: Qwen3 8B 87.5%; Qwen3.5 9B 88.5%; HumanEval: Qwen3 8B 85.6%; Qwen3.5 9B 86.9%; MATH: Qwen3 8B 88.0%; Qwen3.5 9B 90.2%. These records are reference data, not a controlled head-to-head test; verify current pricing and specifications with each provider.
What benchmark values are listed for Qwen3 8B and Qwen3.5 9B?
MMLU: Qwen3 8B 87.5%; Qwen3.5 9B 88.5%; HumanEval: Qwen3 8B 85.6%; Qwen3.5 9B 86.9%; MATH: Qwen3 8B 88.0%; Qwen3.5 9B 90.2%. The catalog values may use different versions and evaluation setups, so they are reference points rather than a controlled head-to-head result.
Which model has the larger listed context window?
Qwen3 8B: 128K tokens; Qwen3.5 9B: 128K tokens. The listed context-window values are equal.
What are the listed costs per million tokens for Qwen3 8B and Qwen3.5 9B?
Qwen3 8B: Separate numeric input/output rates not listed (Open source — free to download. API access via third-party providers ~$0.05-0.15/MTok). Qwen3.5 9B: input $0.1, output $0.3 per 1M tokens (Apache 2.0 — free). Where separate numeric input and output rates are available, the worked example uses 1M input plus 1M output tokens. Confirm current terms with each provider.
How far apart are the listed release dates for Qwen3 8B and Qwen3.5 9B?
The catalog lists Qwen3 8B as April 2025 and Qwen3.5 9B as 2025; a release-date gap cannot be calculated from both records.
When was the comparison data last updated?
The model catalog records 2026-10-16 as its data update date. Provider specifications and prices may have changed since then.
How should I choose between Qwen3 8B and Qwen3.5 9B?
Compare the listed specifications and capabilities, review the benchmark notes, then test both with the same representative prompt for your task. This page does not claim a universal winner.