- Deprecated Models
- 7
- Legacy Models
- 0
- Providers
- 1
- Latest Deprecation
- August 2026
How Anthropic retires and replaces models
Like every major AI lab, Anthropic ships new models faster than it can maintain old ones. As newer generations arrive with better quality, larger context windows or lower prices, earlier releases are moved to legacy status and eventually shut down. This page tracks 7 deprecated, 0 legacy Anthropic models, with the most recent change dated August 2026.
If you still call any of these models in production, use the Replacement column above to find the model Anthropic recommends in its place, then compare the input and output prices so you can budget the migration. Where no direct successor is named, the safest path is usually the current flagship in the same family.
Anthropic uses the following terms to describe the model lifecycle:
- Active: The model is fully supported and recommended for use.
- Legacy: The model will no longer receive updates and may be deprecated in the future. Developers and teams should consider moving to an active model.
- Deprecated: The model is still functional but no longer recommended. Anthropic provides a recommended replacement and assigns a retirement date.
- Retired: The model is no longer available for use. Requests to retired models will fail.
Dates in above table are the retirement dates for deprecated models. After the retirement date, the requests to retired models will fail.
Note: Anthropic notifies customers with active deployments for models with upcoming retirements, providing at least 60 days' notice before model retirement for publicly released models. Models could be retired sooner than the above notice periods if they are found to be unsafe, non-compliant, or if there are other unforeseen circumstances.
Note: Deprecated models are likely to be less reliable than active models. Move workloads to active models to maintain the highest level of support and reliability.
Frequently asked questions
How many Anthropic models are deprecated or legacy?
We currently track 7 Anthropic models that are deprecated, legacy or scheduled for retirement, including 7 fully deprecated and 0 legacy. The most recent change is dated August 2026.
What should I migrate to when a Anthropic model is retired?
Check the Replacement column in the table above for the successor Anthropic recommends. When no direct replacement is listed, compare Anthropic's active models by price and capability, or explore alternatives from other providers.
What does "deprecated" mean?
A deprecated AI model is one the provider has officially phased out. It may still respond for a limited grace period, but it no longer receives updates and is scheduled to stop working. Providers usually recommend a newer replacement model.
What does "legacy" mean?
A legacy model is an older generation that remains available but is no longer the recommended option. Legacy models often still run reliably, yet they typically trail newer models on quality, speed, context length or price.
What does "retiring soon" mean?
Retiring soon (scheduled for retirement) means the provider has announced a future date after which the model will be shut down. You can still use it today, but you should plan a migration before the retirement date.
Can I still use these models?
Sometimes. Legacy and retiring-soon models usually still work until their shutdown date, while fully deprecated models may already be unavailable via the API. Always check the provider’s official documentation for the exact status.
What should I use instead?
Where a provider names a successor, we show it in the Replacement column so you can jump straight to the recommended model. If no replacement is listed, compare active models by price and capability to pick the best fit.
How often is this list updated?
The list is generated from our live model database, so counts, dates and replacements update automatically as providers announce deprecations and retirements.