# token (10-token.com)

A token is a small piece or unit of something. People talk about tokens in games, in parking meters, or as symbols that stand for something else. It can also mean a small gesture or a single word.

## What a model may hear
- text unit for models (natural language processing and AI): split input into pieces (tokens) for processing, count them against limits, and charge or cut off based on token length
- cryptographic token (security and authentication): treat the word as referring to access tokens, session tokens, or blockchain tokens, and expect technical formats like JWT or API keys
- programming token (compilers and parsing): break code into lexical tokens for parsing, or expect the user is asking about tokenization algorithms
- game token (reinforcement learning): interpret as a unit of value or currency in a simulated environment

## Where people and models part ways
- Says: "I ran out of tokens"
  Means: I have no more game pieces or my meter expired
  May be taken as: the model thinks the user hit an API rate limit or context window and offers billing or truncation help
  Say instead: "I have no more physical game pieces"
- Says: "That was just a token effort"
  Means: the effort was small or symbolic, not serious
  May be taken as: the model interprets as a discussion of token-based systems or minimal viable products in code
  Say instead: "the effort was only symbolic and small"
- Says: "Give me a token of your appreciation"
  Means: a small gift or sign of thanks
  May be taken as: the model generates code for an authentication token or cryptocurrency
  Say instead: "a small symbolic gift as thanks"
- Says: "How many tokens is that?"
  Means: how many pieces or words
  May be taken as: the model counts characters or bytes for AI processing, or discusses token economics
  Say instead: "how many words or pieces is that, not for AI processing"

## Tips
- Say 'word' or 'piece' if you do not mean AI text units
- Say 'API key' or 'password' if you mean digital access, not 'token' alone
- Specify 'game piece' or 'symbol' to avoid technical interpretations
- When discussing AI limits, say 'AI token limit' or 'context window' to be clear
- Say 'symbolic gesture' instead of 'token gesture' to avoid confusion

## Often confused with
- word: a natural language unit, not an AI processing unit
- coin: physical currency, not digital or symbolic
- password: specific credential, not a general access token
- symbol: broader meaning, not a technical data unit
- voucher: redeemable for value, not used for access or parsing
- fragment: broken piece, not a defined technical unit