OpenAI’s annualized revenue run rate reached approximately $50 billion by the end of September 2026. This figure contrasts with the $70 billion estimate previously circulated by investors, creating a discrepancy attributed to different accounting methodologies rather than a decline in demand.
The company reports revenue on a net basis, whereas investors applied a gross methodology similar to that used by Anthropic, which includes partner sales. OpenAI aims to reach or exceed $70 billion in annualized revenue by the end of 2026 using its net accounting standards.
OpenAI reported 77% overall run-rate growth in the third quarter of 2026, with enterprise revenue increasing by 107% during the same period. The company began 2026 with an annualized run rate of approximately $20 billion, surpassing $40 billion by August.
Despite growth, the company faced challenges in April 2026, missing internal targets for ChatGPT user growth and revenue benchmarks amid competition from Google and Anthropic. OpenAI continues to pursue significant capital expenditures and infrastructure partnerships with Microsoft and Amazon.
Market reaction to the revenue reporting was notable, as Oracle shares declined 5% on October 8, 2026, following the news. OpenAI is reportedly considering a public listing at a valuation of approximately $1.4 trillion.
