LLM Routing: From Strategy Selection to Production Architecture

Large Language Models (LLMs) vary in latency, operational costs, and capabilities. Many teams opt for a single model, which can lead to increased costs and reduced production quality during scaling. LLM routing enables a dynamic selection process, directing each request to the most suitable model based on task type, budget constraints, and performance requirements. LLM routing is a method that directs user inquiries to the optimal model. An LLM router, positioned between the application layer and multiple backend LLMs, analyzes each request to select the most appropriate model.