Best LLMs for Math in 2026

The gold standard for mathematical reasoning with chain-of-thought that shows its work. Achieves PhD-level performance on math competitions and formal proofs.

Best for: Advanced mathematical proofs and competition math

Open-source reasoning model rivaling o1 on mathematical benchmarks. Transparent chain-of-thought makes it excellent for learning and verification.

Best for: Open-source math reasoning with visible thought process

Cost-efficient reasoning model with strong math performance. Adjustable reasoning effort lets you balance cost and capability.

Best for: Everyday math tasks where o1 would be overkill

Strong mathematical reasoning combined with the ability to process math from images, handwriting, and textbook photos.

Best for: Working with math from images and mixed media

Extended thinking mode enables multi-step mathematical reasoning with clear explanations. Excellent at explaining solutions step-by-step.

Best for: Learning math with clear, detailed explanations

Microsoft's small model with exceptional math reasoning for its size. Runs locally and achieves benchmarks competitive with much larger models.

Best for: Local math assistance without API costs