# Context window is not your paste budget

> Source: <https://www.pastebudget.com>
> Published: 2026-09-03 02:38:26+00:00

# Your context window is not your paste budget.

See what actually fits after prior messages and answer space. If it’s too large, turn it into safe, paste-ready parts in one click.

The 200K context trap

Claude Haiku 4.5

Actual room for new material

150

Example needs

≈161

PasteBudget catches the 11-token overflow.

Then it makes 2 safe parts without uploading the text.

Check the whole request

## Find out if it fits. Fix it if it doesn’t.

Paste the real prompt, account for the conversation already used, and protect enough room for a useful answer.

The method

## One useful verdict, with the caveats visible.

A raw context-window number is not your real input budget. PasteBudget subtracts the space you need for an answer and anything already in the conversation before deciding whether new material fits.

Current references

## Model limits with receipts.

Presets are sourced from provider documentation. Limits can change, so every row links back to the current source.

Practical guides

## Use the limit well, not just fully.

Good to know

## Plain answers.

PasteBudget is designed to be conservative about both context and privacy.