diff --git a/litellm/router.py b/litellm/router.py
index 0d4045e6ca8..c8153b596d6 100644
--- a/litellm/router.py
+++ b/litellm/router.py
@@ -1122,6 +1122,27 @@ def as_output_cap(value: object) -> int | None:
     return cap if cap >= 0 else None
 
 
+def stamped_client_ceiling(request_kwargs: Mapping[str, object]) -> Mapping[str, int] | None:
+    """None means unstamped; an empty mapping means the original caller supplied no limit."""
+    stamped: Final = next(
+        (
+            bucket.get(CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY)
+            for bucket in (request_kwargs.get("metadata"), request_kwargs.get("litellm_metadata"))
+            if isinstance(bucket, dict) and CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY in bucket
+        ),
+        None,
+    )
+    if not isinstance(stamped, dict):
+        return None
+    return MappingProxyType(
+        {
+            carrier: cap
+            for carrier, value in stamped.items()
+            if carrier in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS and (cap := as_output_cap(value)) is not None
+        }
+    )
+
+
 def _exact_base_model_max_input_tokens(base_model: str) -> int | None:
     try:
         model_info: Final = litellm.get_model_info(model=base_model)
@@ -15235,9 +15256,7 @@ class Router:
         request_kwargs: dict,
         responses_call: bool,
     ) -> bool:
-        """Apply a routing strategy's per-tier litellm_params on top of the request and report
-        whether they pinned an output ceiling, so the caller can hand the request its own ceiling
-        back on a routing pass that pins none."""
+        """Apply per-tier litellm_params and report whether they pinned an output ceiling."""
         if not tier_litellm_params:
             return False
         reject_api_key_secret_reference(tier_litellm_params)
@@ -15250,34 +15269,26 @@ class Router:
         return not OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS.isdisjoint(surface_tier_params)
 
     @staticmethod
-    def _restore_client_ceiling_no_tier_pins(request_kwargs: MutableMapping[str, object]) -> None:
-        """A model-group fallback re-enters routing with the kwargs an earlier auto-router pass
-        already rewrote, so a ceiling sized for that pass's tier would ride onto a group no tier
-        chose. When this pass pins none, hand the request back exactly the carriers the caller
-        sent, which the first pinning pass stamped. The stamp lives in a metadata bucket a
-        caller can also write, so the proxy strips the key at ingestion and this read takes
-        nothing but the three ceiling carriers as integers: no other key ever reaches kwargs."""
-        stamped: Final = next(
-            (
-                bucket.get(CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY)
-                for bucket in (request_kwargs.get("metadata"), request_kwargs.get("litellm_metadata"))
-                if isinstance(bucket, dict) and CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY in bucket
-            ),
-            None,
-        )
-        if not isinstance(stamped, dict):
+    def _restore_client_output_ceiling(request_kwargs: MutableMapping[str, object]) -> None:
+        """Restore caller intent before routing, so neither a previous tier pin nor alias defaults
+        become the next attempt's budget. The proxy strips caller-written stamps at ingestion."""
+        callers_ceiling: Final = stamped_client_ceiling(request_kwargs)
+        if callers_ceiling is None:
             return
-        callers_ceiling: Final = MappingProxyType(
-            {
-                carrier: cap
-                for carrier, value in stamped.items()
-                if carrier in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS and (cap := as_output_cap(value)) is not None
-            }
-        )
         for carrier in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS:
             request_kwargs.pop(carrier, None)
         request_kwargs.update(callers_ceiling)
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _stamp_client_output_ceiling(
+        request_kwargs: dict[str, object],  # mutable-ok: preserve request-owned metadata across routing attempts
+    ) -> None:
+        _, metadata_bucket = get_or_create_metadata_bucket(request_kwargs)
+        metadata_bucket.setdefault(
+            CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY,
+            {carrier: request_kwargs[carrier] for carrier in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS if carrier in request_kwargs},
+        )
+
     @staticmethod
     def _drop_client_carriers_a_tier_pin_supersedes(
         request_kwargs: dict[str, object],
@@ -15294,15 +15305,7 @@ class Router:
         one setting under three names, and a provider handed two of them either
         rejects the request or picks one by iteration order."""
         if not OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS.isdisjoint(tier_litellm_params):
-            _, metadata_bucket = get_or_create_metadata_bucket(request_kwargs)
-            metadata_bucket.setdefault(
-                CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY,
-                {
-                    carrier: request_kwargs[carrier]
-                    for carrier in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS
-                    if carrier in request_kwargs
-                },
-            )
+            Router._stamp_client_output_ceiling(request_kwargs)
             for carrier in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS:
                 request_kwargs.pop(carrier, None)
         if "reasoning_effort" not in tier_litellm_params:
@@ -15374,14 +15377,12 @@ class Router:
                 model = pre_routing_hook_response.model
                 messages = pre_routing_hook_response.messages
                 record_pre_routing_selection(request_kwargs, model)
-            tier_pins_ceiling: Final = self._pin_tier_params_onto_request(
+            self._pin_tier_params_onto_request(
                 model=model,
                 tier_litellm_params=pre_routing_hook_response.litellm_params if pre_routing_hook_response else None,
                 request_kwargs=request_kwargs,
                 responses_call=responses_call,
             )
-            if not tier_pins_ceiling:
-                self._restore_client_ceiling_no_tier_pins(request_kwargs)
             #########################################################
 
             # Resolve the strategy and logger AFTER the pre-routing hook, since
@@ -15539,14 +15540,12 @@ class Router:
                 model = pre_routing_hook_response.model
                 messages = pre_routing_hook_response.messages
                 record_pre_routing_selection(request_kwargs, model)
-            tier_pins_ceiling: Final = self._pin_tier_params_onto_request(
+            self._pin_tier_params_onto_request(
                 model=model,
                 tier_litellm_params=pre_routing_hook_response.litellm_params if pre_routing_hook_response else None,
                 request_kwargs=request_kwargs,
                 responses_call=responses_call,
             )
-            if not tier_pins_ceiling:
-                self._restore_client_ceiling_no_tier_pins(request_kwargs)
 
             # 2. Get healthy deployments
             healthy_deployments: Final = await self.async_get_healthy_deployments(
@@ -15896,6 +15895,7 @@ class Router:
         spend metadata is stamped before routing and the response carries the tier group the
         strategy picked.
         """
+        self._restore_client_output_ceiling(request_kwargs)
         self._record_routing_decision(request_kwargs=request_kwargs, routing_decision=None)
         requested_registered_model_name: Final = self.get_model_from_alias(model=model) or model
         registered_model_name: Final = await self._resolve_claude_code_session_router(
@@ -16062,7 +16062,8 @@ class Router:
         # them) until `_update_kwargs_with_deployment` drops any the selected
         # deployment sets itself (its own `aws_region_name` beats the marker's).
         # Per-tier `litellm_params` on the hook response are deliberate overrides
-        # the caller applies on top, so those keys are never forwarded here.
+        # the caller applies on top, so those keys and equivalent output-limit
+        # names are never tracked as alias defaults here.
         marker_params: Final = (
             self._forwardable_alias_marker_params(
                 model=registered_model_name, strategy_tags=selected_strategy.tags, request_kwargs=request_kwargs
@@ -16073,9 +16074,16 @@ class Router:
         tier_param_keys: Final = (
             tuple(pre_routing_hook_response.litellm_params or ()) if pre_routing_hook_response is not None else ()
         )
-        newly_forwarded: Final = tuple(
-            (key, value) for key, value in marker_params if key not in request_kwargs and key not in tier_param_keys
+        overridden_marker_keys: Final = frozenset(tier_param_keys) | (
+            OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS if not OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS.isdisjoint(tier_param_keys) else frozenset()
         )
+        newly_forwarded: Final = tuple(
+            (key, value)
+            for key, value in marker_params
+            if key not in request_kwargs and key not in overridden_marker_keys
+        )
+        if pre_routing_hook_response is not None:
+            self._stamp_client_output_ceiling(request_kwargs)
         request_kwargs.pop(_ALIAS_MARKER_FORWARDED_PARAMS_KWARG, None)
         request_kwargs.update(newly_forwarded)
         if newly_forwarded:
diff --git a/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/README.md b/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/README.md
index 7567a0ef37e..08d39841b61 100644
--- a/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/README.md
+++ b/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/README.md
@@ -107,6 +107,20 @@ Session affinity, user-turn classification, adaptive routing, routing plugins, c
 
 When cache costs change the model, the routing decision reports `cause: prompt_cache_cost`. Its signals include the original model, classification cause and both estimated costs
 
+### Output token limits
+
+Set `max_tokens_from_tier_model` under `complexity_router_config` to choose how a routed request's output limit is determined:
+
+| Setting | Effective output limit |
+| --- | --- |
+| `true` (default) | Replace the caller's limit with the selected model group's ceiling |
+| `"clamp"` | Use the smaller of the caller's positive limit and the selected model group's ceiling |
+| `false` | Keep the caller's limit |
+
+Clamp reads `max_tokens`, `max_completion_tokens` and `max_output_tokens`. If several are supplied, it uses the smallest positive value. With no positive caller limit, it uses the model ceiling. For example, a caller requesting 100 tokens keeps that limit on a model with a 32,768-token ceiling; a request for 100,000 is capped at 32,768. Rerouting uses the original caller budget, and cache-aware cost estimates use the same effective limit.
+
+All modes preserve explicit output limits in a tier's own `litellm_params`. An unknown ceiling leaves the caller's value unchanged. In the dashboard, select **Respect caller budget** under **Advanced settings > Compatibility > Output token limit** to enable clamp.
+
 ### Capability forecasting
 
 Set `classifier_type: capability` to use
diff --git a/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/complexity_router.py b/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/complexity_router.py
index 12968bf7d4a..f5fd4ae9c98 100644
--- a/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/complexity_router.py
+++ b/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/complexity_router.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import random
 import re
 import time
 from collections.abc import Awaitable, Callable, Iterator, Mapping, Sequence
+from functools import partial
 from itertools import accumulate, chain, islice, takewhile
 from threading import Lock
 from types import MappingProxyType
@@ -161,6 +162,17 @@ def _tier_name(tier: ComplexityTier | str) -> str:
     return tier.value if isinstance(tier, ComplexityTier) else tier
 
 
+def _callers_output_cap(request_kwargs: Mapping[str, object]) -> int | None:
+    """The smallest positive output ceiling the caller sent under any of its three names, read
+    from the stamp when an earlier routing pass already rewrote the kwargs."""
+    from litellm.router import as_output_cap, stamped_client_ceiling
+
+    stamped: Final = stamped_client_ceiling(request_kwargs)
+    carriers: Final = request_kwargs if stamped is None else stamped
+    caps: Final = tuple(as_output_cap(carriers.get(carrier)) for carrier in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS)
+    return min((cap for cap in caps if cap is not None and cap > 0), default=None)
+
+
 def _built_in_tier_or_none(tier_name: str) -> ComplexityTier | None:
     """The built-in tier a `tiers` key names, or None when the key is an operator-defined name."""
     return ComplexityTier.__members__.get(tier_name)
@@ -3028,7 +3040,9 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
 
         raise ValueError(f"No model configured for tier {tier_key} and no default_model set")
 
-    def _litellm_params_for_model(self, tier: ComplexityTier | str | None, model: str) -> Mapping[str, object]:
+    def _litellm_params_for_model(
+        self, tier: ComplexityTier | str | None, model: str, request_kwargs: Mapping[str, object]
+    ) -> Mapping[str, object]:
         entries: Final = self.config.tier_model_configs.get(_tier_name(tier), ()) if tier is not None else ()
         entry: Final = next((candidate for candidate in entries if candidate.model_name == model), None)
         explicit: Final = entry.litellm_params if entry is not None else MappingProxyType({})
@@ -3037,7 +3051,12 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
         ceiling: Final = self._group_output_ceiling(model)
         if ceiling is None:
             return explicit
-        return MappingProxyType({**explicit, "max_tokens": ceiling})
+        callers_cap: Final = (
+            _callers_output_cap(request_kwargs) if self.config.max_tokens_from_tier_model == "clamp" else None
+        )
+        return MappingProxyType(
+            {**explicit, "max_tokens": ceiling if callers_cap is None else min(callers_cap, ceiling)}
+        )
 
     @staticmethod
     def _pick_from_tier_value(model: str | Sequence[str], tier_key: str) -> str:
@@ -3768,7 +3787,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
         response: PreRoutingHookResponse,
         messages: list[dict[str, object]] | None,  # mutable-ok: forwarded verbatim to the list-typed re-pick
         resolved_messages: Sequence[Mapping[str, object]] | None,
-        request_kwargs: dict,  # mutable-ok: same shape the hook receives
+        request_kwargs: dict[str, object],  # mutable-ok: same shape the hook receives
         context_fit: _RequestContextFit | None = None,
         retained_pin: _SessionAffinityPin | None = None,
     ) -> PreRoutingHookResponse:
@@ -3865,7 +3884,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
             conversation_continuing=bool(decision.get("conversation_continuing", True))
             if decision is not None
             else True,
-            tier_litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(new_tier, new_model),
+            tier_litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(new_tier, new_model, request_kwargs),
             context_escalation_original_tier=(
                 decision.get("context_escalation_original_tier") if decision is not None else None
             ),
@@ -3876,7 +3895,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
         return HookResponse(
             model=new_model,
             messages=response.messages,
-            litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(new_tier, new_model),
+            litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(new_tier, new_model, request_kwargs),
             routing_decision=new_decision,
         )
 
@@ -3904,7 +3923,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
         model_name: str,
         messages: list[dict[str, Any]] | None,  # mutable-ok: forwarded verbatim to the router's own probe
         input: str | list | None,  # mutable-ok: mirrors the owner's own input parameter, which this forwards verbatim
-        request_kwargs: dict,  # mutable-ok: same shape the hook receives
+        request_kwargs: dict[str, object],  # mutable-ok: same shape the hook receives
     ) -> bool:
         """Whether the router would find a deployment for this group ON THIS REQUEST.
 
@@ -3962,7 +3981,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
         messages: list[dict[str, object]] | None,  # mutable-ok: forwarded verbatim to the list-typed re-pick
         input: str | list | None,  # mutable-ok: mirrors the owner's own input parameter, which this forwards verbatim
         resolved_messages: Sequence[Mapping[str, object]] | None,
-        request_kwargs: dict,  # mutable-ok: same shape the hook receives
+        request_kwargs: dict[str, object],  # mutable-ok: same shape the hook receives
         context_fit: _RequestContextFit | None = None,
         retained_pin: _SessionAffinityPin | None = None,
     ) -> PreRoutingHookResponse:
@@ -4045,14 +4064,14 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
                         classifier_model=decision.get("classifier_model"),
                         classifier_cost=decision.get("classifier_cost"),
                         conversation_continuing=bool(decision.get("conversation_continuing", True)),
-                        tier_litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(candidate_tier, new_model),
+                        tier_litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(candidate_tier, new_model, request_kwargs),
                         context_escalation_original_tier=decision.get("context_escalation_original_tier"),
                         previous_decision=decision,
                     )
                     return response.model_copy(
                         update={
                             "model": new_model,
-                            "litellm_params": self._litellm_params_for_model(candidate_tier, new_model),
+                            "litellm_params": self._litellm_params_for_model(candidate_tier, new_model, request_kwargs),
                             "routing_decision": new_decision,
                         }
                     )
@@ -4090,14 +4109,14 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
             classifier_model=decision.get("classifier_model"),
             classifier_cost=decision.get("classifier_cost"),
             conversation_continuing=bool(decision.get("conversation_continuing", True)),
-            tier_litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(None, default_model),
+            tier_litellm_params=self._litellm_params_for_model(None, default_model, request_kwargs),
             context_escalation_original_tier=decision.get("context_escalation_original_tier"),
             previous_decision=decision,
         )
         return response.model_copy(
             update={
                 "model": default_model,
-                "litellm_params": self._litellm_params_for_model(None, default_model),
+                "litellm_params": self._litellm_params_for_model(None, default_model, request_kwargs),
                 "routing_decision": default_decision,
             }
         )
@@ -4580,7 +4599,9 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
                         if pin_placement is not None and pin_context_original_tier is not None
                         else pin_source_tier
                     )
-                    session_tier_litellm_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(routed_pin_tier, routed_model)
+                    session_tier_litellm_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(
+                        routed_pin_tier, routed_model, request_kwargs
+                    )
                     has_original_messages: Final = messages is not None and len(messages) > 0
                     return self._with_session_deployment_affinity(
                         await self._gate_response_health(
@@ -4678,14 +4699,14 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
         choice: Final = await choose_cached_model(
             router=self.litellm_router_instance,
             config=self.config,
-            params_for_model=self._litellm_params_for_model,
+            params_for_model=partial(self._litellm_params_for_model, request_kwargs=request_kwargs),
             response=response,
             request_kwargs=request_kwargs,
             messages=messages,
         )
         if choice is None or not context_fit.accepts(choice.model):
             return response
-        params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(choice.tier, choice.model)
+        params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(choice.tier, choice.model, request_kwargs)
         decision: Final[StandardLoggingRoutingDecision] = {
             **response.routing_decision,
             "routed_model": choice.model,
@@ -4714,7 +4735,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
     async def _classify_and_route(
         self,
         model: str,
-        request_kwargs: dict,
+        request_kwargs: dict[str, object],
         messages: list[dict[str, object]] | None = None,
         input: str | list | None = None,
         specific_deployment: bool | None = False,
@@ -4772,7 +4793,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
                     ComplexityTier.MEDIUM, messages, resolved_messages, request_kwargs
                 )
             fallback_tier: Final = None if default_model_first else ComplexityTier.MEDIUM
-            default_tier_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(fallback_tier, routed_model)
+            default_tier_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(fallback_tier, routed_model, request_kwargs)
             return PreRoutingHookResponse(
                 model=routed_model,
                 messages=messages if has_original_messages else None,
@@ -4810,7 +4831,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
                 _tier_name(plan_floor),
                 routed_model,
             )
-            plan_tier_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(plan_floor, routed_model)
+            plan_tier_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(plan_floor, routed_model, request_kwargs)
             return PreRoutingHookResponse(
                 model=routed_model,
                 messages=messages if has_original_messages else None,
@@ -4839,7 +4860,9 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
             )
             keyword_plan_floored: Final = routed_tier != escalated_tier
             routed_model = await self._pick_model_for_tier(routed_tier, messages, resolved_messages, request_kwargs)
-            keyword_tier_litellm_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(routed_tier, routed_model)
+            keyword_tier_litellm_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(
+                routed_tier, routed_model, request_kwargs
+            )
             keyword_cause: Final[RoutingDecisionCause] = (
                 "plan_mode"
                 if keyword_plan_floored
@@ -4919,7 +4942,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
                 outcome.signals,
                 fallback_model,
             )
-            fallback_tier_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(None, fallback_model)
+            fallback_tier_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(None, fallback_model, request_kwargs)
             return PreRoutingHookResponse(
                 model=fallback_model,
                 messages=messages if has_original_messages else None,
@@ -5001,7 +5024,7 @@ class ComplexityRouter(CustomLogger):
                 routed_model,
             )
 
-        tier_litellm_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(tier, routed_model)
+        tier_litellm_params: Final = self._litellm_params_for_model(tier, routed_model, request_kwargs)
         classifier_model: Final = (
             f"{outcome.jev_verdict.provider}/{outcome.jev_verdict.model}"
             if outcome.cause == "jev_classifier" and outcome.jev_verdict is not None
diff --git a/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/config.py b/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/config.py
index ec960a19f79..020f2d33742 100644
--- a/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/config.py
+++ b/litellm/router_strategy/complexity_router/config.py
@@ -1462,7 +1462,7 @@ class ComplexityRouterConfig(LiteLLMBaseModel):
             "wording the built-ins don't cover, or after a client release changes its strings."
         ),
     )
-    max_tokens_from_tier_model: bool = Field(
+    max_tokens_from_tier_model: bool | Literal["clamp"] = Field(
         default=True,
         description=(
             "Set max_tokens on every routed request to the output ceiling of the tier model it "
@@ -1473,7 +1473,8 @@ class ComplexityRouterConfig(LiteLLMBaseModel):
             "from each deployment's model_info and then the model cost map; a tier model with a "
             "deployment whose ceiling is unknown keeps the caller's value. A max_tokens, "
             "max_completion_tokens or max_output_tokens in the tier's own litellm_params still "
-            "wins. Set false to forward the caller's value unchanged."
+            'wins. Set "clamp" to keep a smaller positive caller value and cap a larger one at '
+            "the ceiling. Set false to forward the caller's value unchanged."
         ),
     )
     route_housekeeping_to_cheapest_tier: bool = Field(
diff --git a/tests/unit/proxy/common_utils/test_cache_aware_routing.py b/tests/unit/proxy/common_utils/test_cache_aware_routing.py
index 24fc1f22a6a..4eb22b2e34f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/proxy/common_utils/test_cache_aware_routing.py
+++ b/tests/unit/proxy/common_utils/test_cache_aware_routing.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from collections.abc import Callable, Mapping, Sequence
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from functools import partial
 from typing import Final
 
 import pytest
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ async def _select(
     return await select_cached_model(
         router=router,
         config=config,
-        params_for_model=complexity._litellm_params_for_model,
+        params_for_model=partial(complexity._litellm_params_for_model, request_kwargs=request_kwargs),
         response=response,
         body=body,
         request_kwargs=request_kwargs,
@@ -234,7 +235,9 @@ async def test_disabled_setting_does_not_access_prediction_services() -> None:
         await choose_cached_model(
             router=_router(),
             config=config,
-            params_for_model=ComplexityRouter("smart", _router(), config.model_dump())._litellm_params_for_model,
+            params_for_model=partial(
+                ComplexityRouter("smart", _router(), config.model_dump())._litellm_params_for_model, request_kwargs={}
+            ),
             response=_response(),
             request_kwargs={},
             messages=None,
@@ -348,6 +351,7 @@ def test_repeated_model_in_multiple_tiers_is_only_considered_once() -> None:
         (True, "custom_endpoint", "cheap"),
         (True, "compaction", "cheap"),
         (True, "guardrail", "cheap"),
+        (True, "clamp", "strong"),
     ],
 )
 async def test_router_applies_opt_in_and_preserves_failure_semantics(
@@ -368,7 +372,9 @@ async def test_router_applies_opt_in_and_preserves_failure_semantics(
     from litellm.router_strategy.complexity_router.context_compaction import initialize_compaction_state
 
     config: Final = _config(
-        cache_aware_routing=enabled, cache_aware_routing_timeout_ms=1 if behavior == "deadline" else 2000
+        cache_aware_routing=enabled,
+        cache_aware_routing_timeout_ms=1 if behavior == "deadline" else 2000,
+        max_tokens_from_tier_model="clamp" if behavior == "clamp" else True,
     )
     models: Final = _router(
         strong_output_rate=0.000048 if behavior == "tier_cost" else 0.000015,
@@ -423,6 +429,7 @@ async def test_router_applies_opt_in_and_preserves_failure_semantics(
         body: Final = {
             **_body(),
             **({"max_tokens": 1000} if behavior in ("tier_cost", "tier_context") else {}),
+            **({"max_tokens": 100} if behavior == "clamp" else {}),
             **({"thinking": {"type": "enabled", "budget_tokens": 10000}} if behavior == "unsupported_shape" else {}),
         }
         kwargs: Final = {
@@ -437,6 +444,7 @@ async def test_router_applies_opt_in_and_preserves_failure_semantics(
                 else {}
             ),
             **({"guardrails": ["test-guardrail"]} if behavior == "guardrail" else {}),
+            **({"max_tokens": 100} if behavior == "clamp" else {}),
         }
         if expected is None:
             with pytest.raises(asyncio.CancelledError):
@@ -458,6 +466,10 @@ async def test_router_applies_opt_in_and_preserves_failure_semantics(
         if enabled and behavior == "success":
             assert requests.qsize() == 4
         assert response.routing_decision is not None
+        if behavior == "clamp":
+            assert "cache-aware:estimated-cost=0.01950000;original-cost=0.06390000" in (
+                response.routing_decision["signals"] or ()
+            ), "both arms must be estimated at the caller's 100 output tokens, not the 1024 default"
         assert response.routing_decision["cause"] == (
             "prompt_cache_cost" if expected == "strong" else "heuristic_scorer"
         )
diff --git a/tests/unit/router_strategy/test_complexity_router.py b/tests/unit/router_strategy/test_complexity_router.py
index 2d27a025ffa..78dc2eaf314 100644
--- a/tests/unit/router_strategy/test_complexity_router.py
+++ b/tests/unit/router_strategy/test_complexity_router.py
@@ -36,11 +36,12 @@ from litellm._logging import verbose_router_logger
 from litellm.caching.dual_cache import DualCache
 from litellm.caching.in_memory_cache import InMemoryCache
 from litellm.constants import (
+    CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY,
     OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS,
     RETURN_RAW_MODEL_NAME_METADATA_KEY,
     SESSION_ID_GENERATED_METADATA_KEY,
 )
-from litellm.router import as_output_cap
+from litellm.router import as_output_cap, stamped_client_ceiling
 from litellm.router_strategy.complexity_router.complexity_router import (
     _CLASSIFICATION_CURRENT_MESSAGE_ONLY,
     _CLASSIFICATION_WITH_CONVERSATION,
@@ -13733,7 +13734,7 @@ def test_tier_model_params_are_used_by_pools_and_savings_baseline(mock_router_in
 
     assert router._tier_pools() == {"SIMPLE": ["mini"], "REASONING": ["opus", "abc"]}
     assert router._hardest_tier_models() == ("opus", "abc")
-    assert router._litellm_params_for_model(ComplexityTier.REASONING, "opus") == {"reasoning_effort": "xhigh"}
+    assert router._litellm_params_for_model(ComplexityTier.REASONING, "opus", {}) == {"reasoning_effort": "xhigh"}
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
@@ -16917,9 +16918,10 @@ class TestMaxTokensFromTierModel:
     @staticmethod
     def _router(
         tier_litellm_params: dict | None = None,
-        max_tokens_from_tier_model: bool | None = None,
+        max_tokens_from_tier_model: bool | Literal["clamp"] | None = None,
         simple_deployments: list[dict] | None = None,
         extra_config: dict | None = None,
+        marker_params: Mapping[str, object] | None = None,
     ) -> Router:
         simple_tier: dict = {"model_name": "small"}
         if tier_litellm_params:
@@ -16934,7 +16936,11 @@ class TestMaxTokensFromTierModel:
             model_list=[
                 {
                     "model_name": "smart-router",
-                    "litellm_params": {"model": "auto_router/complexity_router", "complexity_router_config": config},
+                    "litellm_params": {
+                        "model": "auto_router/complexity_router",
+                        "complexity_router_config": config,
+                        **(marker_params or {}),
+                    },
                 },
                 *(simple_deployments or [TestMaxTokensFromTierModel.SMALL]),
                 {
@@ -17016,6 +17022,167 @@ class TestMaxTokensFromTierModel:
 
         assert sent["max_tokens"] == 8192
 
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "prompt, client_kwargs, expected",
+        [
+            (COMPLEX_PROMPT, {"max_tokens": 2000}, ("anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", 2000)),
+            ("hi", {"max_tokens": 100000}, ("anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5", 8192)),
+            (COMPLEX_PROMPT, {}, ("anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", 64000)),
+            (COMPLEX_PROMPT, {"max_tokens": 0}, ("anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", 64000)),
+            (COMPLEX_PROMPT, {"max_completion_tokens": 2000}, ("anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", 2000)),
+            (COMPLEX_PROMPT, {"max_tokens": 3000, "max_completion_tokens": 2000}, ("anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", 2000)),
+        ],
+        ids=["below-ceiling", "above-ceiling", "omitted", "zero", "other-carrier", "smallest-carrier"],
+    )
+    async def test_clamp_keeps_the_smaller_of_the_client_value_and_the_ceiling(
+        self, prompt: str, client_kwargs: dict[str, int], expected: tuple[str, int]
+    ) -> None:
+        sent: Final = await self._routed(self._router(max_tokens_from_tier_model="clamp"), prompt, **client_kwargs)
+
+        assert (sent["model"], sent["max_tokens"]) == expected
+        assert not (OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS - {"max_tokens"}) & sent.keys()
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_clamp_on_the_responses_surface_keeps_its_own_name(self) -> None:
+        router: Final = self._router(max_tokens_from_tier_model="clamp")
+
+        sent: Final = await self._routed_responses(router, self.COMPLEX_PROMPT, max_output_tokens=2000)
+
+        assert (sent["model"], sent["max_output_tokens"]) == ("anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", 2000)
+        assert "max_tokens" not in sent
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("tier_carrier", sorted(OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS))
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("marker_carrier", sorted(OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS))
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("surface", ["chat", "responses"])
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("caller_cap", [None, 100])
+    async def test_clamp_leaves_the_operators_own_tier_ceiling_in_charge(
+        self,
+        tier_carrier: str,
+        marker_carrier: str,
+        surface: str,
+        caller_cap: int | None,
+        monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    ) -> None:
+        monkeypatch.setattr(litellm, "disable_aiohttp_transport", True)
+        surface_key: Final = "max_output_tokens" if surface == "responses" else "max_tokens"
+        caller_key: Final = "max_tokens" if surface == "responses" else "max_output_tokens"
+        request_caps: Final = {caller_key: caller_cap} if caller_cap is not None else {}
+        router: Final = self._router(
+            tier_litellm_params={tier_carrier: 4321},
+            max_tokens_from_tier_model="clamp",
+            marker_params={marker_carrier: 2000},
+            simple_deployments=[{
+                "model_name": "small",
+                "litellm_params": {
+                    "model": "openai/gpt-5.6",
+                    "api_key": "test-only",
+                    "api_base": "https://tier.test/v1",
+                    surface_key: 9000,
+                },
+                "model_info": {"max_output_tokens": 16384},
+            }],
+        )
+
+        with respx.mock(assert_all_mocked=True) as upstream:
+            upstream.post(host="tier.test").mock(side_effect=TestHealthFallbackDispatch._http_response)
+            if surface == "responses":
+                await router.aresponses(model="smart-router", input="hi", **request_caps)
+            else:
+                await router.acompletion(
+                    model="smart-router", messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}], **request_caps
+                )
+
+            assert len(upstream.calls) == 1
+            sent: Final = json.loads(upstream.calls[0].request.content)
+            wire_key: Final = "max_output_tokens" if surface == "responses" else "max_completion_tokens"
+            assert {key: value for key, value in sent.items() if key in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS} == {wire_key: 4321}
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "callers_original, expected",
+        [({"max_tokens": 2000}, 2000), ({}, 64000)],
+        ids=["caller-sent-a-value", "caller-sent-nothing"],
+    )
+    async def test_clamp_on_a_rerouted_request_uses_the_callers_original_value(
+        self, callers_original: dict[str, int], expected: int
+    ) -> None:
+        """A retry re-enters routing with kwargs an earlier pass already rewrote; the stamp holds
+        what the caller actually sent."""
+        router: Final = self._router(max_tokens_from_tier_model="clamp")
+        rewritten: Final[dict[str, object]] = {
+            "max_tokens": 8192,
+            "metadata": {CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY: callers_original},
+        }
+
+        sent: Final = await self._routed(router, self.COMPLEX_PROMPT, **rewritten)
+
+        assert sent["max_tokens"] == expected
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("marker_carrier", sorted(OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS))
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("caller_cap", [None, 3000])
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("tier_cap", [None, 4321])
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("known_ceiling", [True, False])
+    async def test_rerouting_preserves_caller_budget_without_adopting_marker_defaults(
+        self, marker_carrier: str, caller_cap: int | None, tier_cap: int | None, known_ceiling: bool
+    ) -> None:
+        router: Final = self._router(
+            max_tokens_from_tier_model="clamp",
+            marker_params={marker_carrier: 2000},
+            tier_litellm_params={"max_tokens": tier_cap} if tier_cap else None,
+            simple_deployments=None if known_ceiling else [{
+                "model_name": "small",
+                "litellm_params": {"model": "openai/not-in-any-map", "api_key": "k"},
+            }],
+        )
+        request: Final[dict[str, object]] = {} if caller_cap is None else {"max_output_tokens": caller_cap}
+        await router.async_get_available_deployment(
+            model="smart-router", request_kwargs=request, messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}]
+        )
+        first: Final = {key: request[key] for key in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS if key in request}
+        await router.async_get_available_deployment(
+            model="smart-router", request_kwargs=request,
+            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": self.COMPLEX_PROMPT}],
+        )
+
+        expected_first: Final = (
+            {"max_tokens": tier_cap or caller_cap or 8192}
+            if known_ceiling or tier_cap else
+            {marker_carrier: 2000, **({"max_output_tokens": caller_cap} if caller_cap else {})}
+        )
+        assert first == expected_first
+        assert request["max_tokens"] == (caller_cap or 64000)
+        assert not (OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS - {"max_tokens"}) & request.keys()
+
+        await router.async_get_available_deployment(
+            model="smart-router", request_kwargs=request, messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "hi"}]
+        )
+        assert {key: request[key] for key in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS if key in request} == first
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("mode", [False, "clamp"])
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("marker_carrier", sorted(OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS))
+    async def test_unpinned_output_limits_still_use_marker_defaults(
+        self, mode: bool | Literal["clamp"], marker_carrier: str
+    ) -> None:
+        router: Final = self._router(
+            max_tokens_from_tier_model=mode,
+            marker_params={marker_carrier: 2000},
+            simple_deployments=[{
+                "model_name": "small",
+                "litellm_params": {"model": "openai/not-in-any-map", "api_key": "k"},
+            }],
+        )
+        sent: Final = await self._routed(router)
+
+        assert {key: sent[key] for key in OUTPUT_TOKEN_CEILING_PARAMS if key in sent} == {marker_carrier: 2000}
+
+    def test_an_unknown_mode_is_rejected(self) -> None:
+        with pytest.raises(ValidationError):
+            ComplexityRouterConfig(tiers={"SIMPLE": "small"}, max_tokens_from_tier_model="sometimes")
+
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_a_tier_model_with_an_unknown_ceiling_keeps_the_client_value(self):
         unmapped: dict = {"model_name": "small", "litellm_params": {"model": "openai/not-in-any-map", "api_key": "k"}}
@@ -17112,7 +17279,7 @@ class TestMaxTokensFromTierModel:
             complexity_router_config={"tiers": {"SIMPLE": "small"}, "default_model": "big"},
         )
 
-        assert dict(strategy._litellm_params_for_model(None, "big")) == {"max_tokens": 64000}
+        assert dict(strategy._litellm_params_for_model(None, "big", {})) == {"max_tokens": 64000}
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_a_fallback_into_a_plain_group_gets_the_callers_ceiling_back(self):
@@ -17228,29 +17395,52 @@ class TestMaxTokensFromTierModel:
     def test_a_client_cap_is_read_as_an_integer_or_ignored(self, value, expected):
         assert as_output_cap(value) == expected
 
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "request_kwargs, expected",
+        [
+            ({"max_tokens": 8192}, None),
+            ({"metadata": {CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY: {}}}, {}),
+            ({"litellm_metadata": {CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY: {"max_tokens": "2000"}}}, {"max_tokens": 2000}),
+            (
+                {"metadata": {CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY: {"max_output_tokens": 5, "api_key": "x", "max_tokens": True}}},
+                {"max_output_tokens": 5},
+            ),
+            ({"metadata": {CLIENT_OUTPUT_CEILING_METADATA_KEY: "not-a-dict"}}, None),
+        ],
+        ids=["no-stamp", "empty-stamp", "litellm-metadata-bucket", "only-integer-carriers", "malformed-stamp"],
+    )
+    def test_the_stamp_reads_back_only_the_callers_integer_carriers(
+        self, request_kwargs: dict[str, object], expected: dict[str, int] | None
+    ) -> None:
+        stamped: Final = stamped_client_ceiling(request_kwargs)
+
+        assert (None if stamped is None else dict(stamped)) == expected
+
     def test_restoring_the_callers_ceiling_reads_the_stamp_and_replaces_every_carrier(self):
         stamped: dict = {"max_output_tokens": 500, "metadata": {"_client_output_ceiling": {"max_tokens": 8192}}}
-        Router._restore_client_ceiling_no_tier_pins(stamped)
+        Router._restore_client_output_ceiling(stamped)
         assert {k: v for k, v in stamped.items() if k != "metadata"} == {"max_tokens": 8192}
 
         coerced: dict = {
             "max_tokens": 64000,
             "metadata": {"_client_output_ceiling": {"max_tokens": "8192", "max_completion_tokens": 100.0}},
         }
-        Router._restore_client_ceiling_no_tier_pins(coerced)
+        Router._restore_client_output_ceiling(coerced)
         assert {k: v for k, v in coerced.items() if k != "metadata"} == {
             "max_tokens": 8192,
             "max_completion_tokens": 100,
         }
 
         unstamped: dict = {"max_tokens": 64000, "metadata": {}}
-        Router._restore_client_ceiling_no_tier_pins(unstamped)
+        Router._restore_client_output_ceiling(unstamped)
         assert unstamped["max_tokens"] == 64000
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_pinning_stamps_the_callers_carriers_once(self):
         router = self._router()
         request_kwargs: dict = {"max_completion_tokens": 8192}
+        router._stamp_client_output_ceiling(request_kwargs)
+        assert stamped_client_ceiling(request_kwargs) == {"max_completion_tokens": 8192}
 
         first = router._pin_tier_params_onto_request(
             model="big", tier_litellm_params={"max_tokens": 64000}, request_kwargs=request_kwargs, responses_call=False
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ComplexityRouterConfig.tsx b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ComplexityRouterConfig.tsx
index 72a08c53267..b59aa051e38 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ComplexityRouterConfig.tsx
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ComplexityRouterConfig.tsx
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ export interface ComplexityRouterConfigValue {
   route_housekeeping_to_cheapest_tier?: boolean;
   housekeeping_patterns?: string[];
   reminder_markers?: ReminderMarkerPair[];
-  max_tokens_from_tier_model?: boolean;
+  max_tokens_from_tier_model?: boolean | "clamp";
   classifier_plugin_timeout_ms?: number;
 }
 
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ResponseFormatControls.tsx b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ResponseFormatControls.tsx
index 6e7b1489a4c..f596ecfdc62 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ResponseFormatControls.tsx
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/ResponseFormatControls.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,28 @@
 import { Switch } from "@/components/ui/switch";
+import { Label } from "@/components/ui/label";
+import { RadioGroup, RadioGroupItem } from "@/components/ui/radio-group";
 import React from "react";
 import type { ComplexityRouterConfigValue } from "./ComplexityRouterConfig";
 
+const OUTPUT_TOKEN_POLICIES = [
+  {
+    value: true,
+    label: "Use model ceiling",
+    description: "Replace the caller's output limit with the selected model's ceiling. This is the default.",
+  },
+  {
+    value: "clamp",
+    label: "Respect caller budget",
+    description:
+      "Use the smaller of the caller's output limit and the model ceiling. Use the ceiling when no limit is sent.",
+  },
+  {
+    value: false,
+    label: "Pass through caller limit",
+    description: "Forward the caller's output limit unchanged.",
+  },
+] as const;
+
 const ResponseFormatControls: React.FC<{
   value: ComplexityRouterConfigValue;
   onChange: (value: ComplexityRouterConfigValue) => void;
@@ -18,18 +39,31 @@ const ResponseFormatControls: React.FC<{
     <span className="block text-xs text-muted-foreground">
       Return the resolved underlying model name in responses instead of the autorouter alias.
     </span>
-    <div className="mt-4 flex items-center gap-2 mb-2">
-      <Switch
-        checked={value.max_tokens_from_tier_model ?? true}
-        onCheckedChange={(enabled) => onChange({ ...value, max_tokens_from_tier_model: enabled })}
-        aria-label="Cap max_tokens at the tier model's output ceiling"
-      />
-      <strong className="font-semibold">Cap max_tokens at the tier model&apos;s output ceiling</strong>
+    <div className="mt-4 space-y-2">
+      <strong className="font-semibold">Output token limit</strong>
+      <RadioGroup
+        value={value.max_tokens_from_tier_model ?? true}
+        onValueChange={(mode: unknown) => {
+          if (typeof mode === "boolean" || mode === "clamp") {
+            onChange({ ...value, max_tokens_from_tier_model: mode });
+          }
+        }}
+        aria-label="Output token limit"
+      >
+        {OUTPUT_TOKEN_POLICIES.map((policy) => (
+          <Label key={String(policy.value)} className="items-start font-normal leading-normal">
+            <RadioGroupItem value={policy.value} className="mt-0.5" />
+            <span>
+              <span className="block font-medium">{policy.label}</span>
+              <span className="block text-xs text-muted-foreground">{policy.description}</span>
+            </span>
+          </Label>
+        ))}
+      </RadioGroup>
+      <span className="block text-xs text-muted-foreground">
+        Explicit tier output limits take precedence. Unknown model ceilings keep the caller&apos;s limit.
+      </span>
     </div>
-    <span className="block text-xs text-muted-foreground">
-      Replace the caller&apos;s max_tokens with the routed tier model&apos;s output ceiling so one client value fits
-      every tier. Off forwards the caller&apos;s value unchanged.
-    </span>
   </>
 );
 
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.test.ts b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.test.ts
index 89d419d0487..b25baa0d1e4 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.test.ts
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.test.ts
@@ -1315,6 +1315,17 @@ describe("buildComplexityRouterConfig with an edited tier set", () => {
     expect(payload.fallback_tier).toBe("CASUAL");
   });
 
+  it("keeps clamp and explicit output limits on custom tiers", () => {
+    const payload = build({
+      maxTokensFromTierModel: "clamp",
+      tierModelParams: { sec: { "o1-preview": { max_completion_tokens: 700 } } },
+    });
+    expect(payload.max_tokens_from_tier_model).toBe("clamp");
+    expect(payload.tier_model_configs?.SECURITY_REVIEW).toEqual([
+      { model_name: "o1-preview", litellm_params: { max_completion_tokens: 700 } },
+    ]);
+  });
+
   it("forces the LLM classifier even when the form still holds heuristic, which the backend rejects", () => {
     expect(build({ classifierType: "heuristic" }).classifier_type).toBe("llm");
   });
@@ -1595,6 +1606,15 @@ describe("classifier vision wire payload", () => {
 });
 
 describe("advanced complexity router fields", () => {
+  it.each([undefined, true, false, "clamp"] as const)("serializes output token policy %s", (mode) => {
+    const payload = buildComplexityRouterConfig({ ...baseParams, maxTokensFromTierModel: mode });
+    if (mode === false || mode === "clamp") {
+      expect(payload.max_tokens_from_tier_model).toBe(mode);
+    } else {
+      expect(payload).not.toHaveProperty("max_tokens_from_tier_model");
+    }
+  });
+
   it("normalizes lists, reminder markers, and explicit false values", () => {
     const payload = buildComplexityRouterConfig({
       ...baseParams,
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.ts b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.ts
index 09bf0ea41a9..511a1653aae 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.ts
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/add_model/build_complexity_router_config.ts
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ export interface BuildComplexityRouterConfigParams {
   routeHousekeepingToCheapestTier?: boolean;
   housekeepingPatterns?: string[];
   reminderMarkers?: ReminderMarkerPair[];
-  maxTokensFromTierModel?: boolean;
+  maxTokensFromTierModel?: ComplexityRouterConfigValue["max_tokens_from_tier_model"];
   classifierPluginTimeoutMs?: number;
 }
 
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ export interface ComplexityRouterConfigPayload {
   route_housekeeping_to_cheapest_tier?: boolean;
   housekeeping_patterns?: string[];
   reminder_markers?: ReminderMarkerPair[];
-  max_tokens_from_tier_model?: boolean;
+  max_tokens_from_tier_model?: ComplexityRouterConfigValue["max_tokens_from_tier_model"];
   classifier_plugin_timeout_ms?: number;
 }
 
@@ -827,7 +827,9 @@ export const buildComplexityRouterConfig = ({
     ...cleanedLists,
     ...(routeHousekeepingToCheapestTier === false && { route_housekeeping_to_cheapest_tier: false }),
     ...(cleanedReminderMarkers && cleanedReminderMarkers.length > 0 && { reminder_markers: cleanedReminderMarkers }),
-    ...(maxTokensFromTierModel === false && { max_tokens_from_tier_model: false }),
+    ...((maxTokensFromTierModel === false || maxTokensFromTierModel === "clamp") && {
+      max_tokens_from_tier_model: maxTokensFromTierModel,
+    }),
     ...(hasValidCustomClassifierTimeout && { classifier_plugin_timeout_ms: classifierPluginTimeoutMs }),
     ...scorerKnobs,
   };
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/build_updated_complexity_router_config.test.ts b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/build_updated_complexity_router_config.test.ts
index 9445e18913e..6238e30ce07 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/build_updated_complexity_router_config.test.ts
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/build_updated_complexity_router_config.test.ts
@@ -47,6 +47,29 @@ const hydratedState: KeywordMatchingState = {
   matchThreshold: 0.72,
 };
 
+describe("output token policy edits", () => {
+  it.each([undefined, true, false, "clamp"] as const)("preserves and edits stored mode %s", (mode) => {
+    const stored = {
+      ...STORED,
+      ...(mode !== undefined && { max_tokens_from_tier_model: mode }),
+      tier_model_configs: { SIMPLE: [{ model_name: "gpt-4o-mini", litellm_params: { max_tokens: 700 } }] },
+    };
+    const hydrated = hydrateComplexityRouterConfig(stored, undefined);
+    expect(hydrated.max_tokens_from_tier_model).toBe(mode);
+    const unchanged = buildUpdatedComplexityRouterConfig(stored, { ...hydrated, return_raw_model_name: true });
+    expect(unchanged.max_tokens_from_tier_model).toBe(mode);
+    expect("max_tokens_from_tier_model" in unchanged).toBe(mode !== undefined);
+    for (const nextMode of [true, false, "clamp"] as const) {
+      const saved = buildUpdatedComplexityRouterConfig(stored, {
+        ...hydrated,
+        max_tokens_from_tier_model: nextMode,
+      });
+      expect(saved.max_tokens_from_tier_model).toBe(nextMode === true && mode !== true ? undefined : nextMode);
+      expect(saved.tier_model_configs).toEqual(stored.tier_model_configs);
+    }
+  });
+});
+
 describe("buildUpdatedComplexityRouterConfig keyword matching", () => {
   it.each([undefined, false, true])("preserves cache settings through edit and save: %s", (enabled) => {
     const stored = {
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/edit_auto_router_modal.integration.test.tsx b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/edit_auto_router_modal.integration.test.tsx
index 72d557d1f8f..e8c9288cfc5 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/edit_auto_router_modal.integration.test.tsx
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/edit_auto_router_modal.integration.test.tsx
@@ -472,9 +472,17 @@ describe("EditAutoRouterModal advanced field round trips", () => {
     modelPatchUpdateCall.mockClear();
   });
 
-  it("hydrates housekeeping and reminder fields, then omits the default max-token value after editing", async () => {
+  it("reopens clamp and saves the selected output policy without changing other advanced settings", async () => {
     const user = userEvent.setup();
-    renderAdvancedModal();
+    renderAdvancedModal({
+      modelData: {
+        ...MODEL_DATA,
+        litellm_params: {
+          ...MODEL_DATA.litellm_params,
+          complexity_router_config: { ...storedAdvancedConfig, max_tokens_from_tier_model: "clamp" },
+        },
+      },
+    });
 
     openAutoRouterAdvanced("Housekeeping Routing");
     expect(screen.getByRole("switch", { name: "Route housekeeping calls to the cheapest tier" })).not.toBeChecked();
@@ -485,13 +493,17 @@ describe("EditAutoRouterModal advanced field round trips", () => {
     expect(screen.getByLabelText("Closing tag")).toHaveValue("</a>");
 
     openAutoRouterAdvanced("Response Format");
-    const maxTokensSwitch = screen.getByRole("switch", { name: "Cap max_tokens at the tier model's output ceiling" });
-    await user.click(maxTokensSwitch);
+    expect(screen.getByRole("radio", { name: /^Respect caller budget/ })).toBeChecked();
+    await user.click(screen.getByRole("radio", { name: /^Pass through caller limit/ }));
+    expect(screen.getByRole("radio", { name: /^Pass through caller limit/ })).toBeChecked();
+    await user.click(screen.getByRole("radio", { name: /^Use model ceiling/ }));
+    expect(screen.getByRole("radio", { name: /^Use model ceiling/ })).toBeChecked();
+    await user.click(screen.getByRole("radio", { name: /^Respect caller budget/ }));
     await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /save changes/i })).toBeEnabled());
     await user.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /save changes/i }));
     await waitFor(() => expect(modelPatchUpdateCall).toHaveBeenCalledOnce());
 
-    expect(savedConfig()).not.toHaveProperty("max_tokens_from_tier_model");
+    expect(savedConfig().max_tokens_from_tier_model).toBe("clamp");
     expect(savedConfig()).toMatchObject({
       route_housekeeping_to_cheapest_tier: false,
       housekeeping_patterns: ["conversation title"],
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/hydrate_complexity_router_config.ts b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/hydrate_complexity_router_config.ts
index 233b5aed922..75fd6e15bc1 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/hydrate_complexity_router_config.ts
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/components/edit_auto_router/hydrate_complexity_router_config.ts
@@ -184,7 +184,8 @@ export const hydrateComplexityRouterConfig = (
       ? parsedConfig.reminder_markers.filter(isReminderMarkerPair)
       : undefined,
     max_tokens_from_tier_model:
-      typeof parsedConfig.max_tokens_from_tier_model === "boolean"
+      typeof parsedConfig.max_tokens_from_tier_model === "boolean" ||
+      parsedConfig.max_tokens_from_tier_model === "clamp"
         ? parsedConfig.max_tokens_from_tier_model
         : undefined,
     classifier_plugin_timeout_ms:
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.test.ts b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.test.ts
index b398780d14e..f4e45e473df 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.test.ts
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.test.ts
@@ -877,6 +877,13 @@ describe("autorouter_presets", () => {
   });
 
   describe("buildPresetPrefill", () => {
+    it.each([undefined, true, false, "clamp"] as const)("preserves a preset's output token policy %s", (mode) => {
+      const preset = getPresetByKey("anthropic_family")!;
+      const config = { ...preset.complexity_router_config, max_tokens_from_tier_model: mode };
+      const prefill = buildPresetPrefill(config, groupsOnly(getRequiredModelsInPreset(preset)));
+      expect(prefill.complexityRouterConfig.max_tokens_from_tier_model).toBe(mode);
+    });
+
     it("preserves Laya settings and drops inactive classifier settings when prefilling", () => {
       const config = {
         tiers: { SIMPLE: ["fast"], MEDIUM: [], COMPLEX: [], REASONING: [] },
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.ts b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.ts
index 0a83a06050b..fd400a8163a 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.ts
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/autorouter_presets.ts
@@ -364,6 +364,7 @@ export const buildPresetPrefill = (
       tier_distance_penalty: config.tier_distance_penalty,
       adaptive_eligible: config.adaptive_eligible,
       return_raw_model_name: config.return_raw_model_name,
+      max_tokens_from_tier_model: config.max_tokens_from_tier_model,
       dimension_weights: hydrateDimensionWeights(config.dimension_weights),
       custom_dimensions: hydrateCustomDimensions(config.custom_dimensions),
       tier_boundaries: hydrateTierBoundaries(config.tier_boundaries),
diff --git a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/http/schema.d.ts b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/http/schema.d.ts
index d03f4b4cffd..e3f80b37498 100644
--- a/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/http/schema.d.ts
+++ b/ui/litellm-dashboard/src/lib/http/schema.d.ts
@@ -42620,10 +42620,10 @@ export interface components {
             match_threshold: number;
             /**
              * Max Tokens From Tier Model
-             * @description Set max_tokens on every routed request to the output ceiling of the tier model it lands on, replacing whatever the caller sent. A caller behind an auto-router cannot pick one value that fits every tier: the smallest tier's ceiling starves a bigger tier's thinking budget, and a bigger tier's ceiling is rejected by the smallest. The ceiling is the smallest max_output_tokens across the tier model's deployments, read from each deployment's model_info and then the model cost map; a tier model with a deployment whose ceiling is unknown keeps the caller's value. A max_tokens, max_completion_tokens or max_output_tokens in the tier's own litellm_params still wins. Set false to forward the caller's value unchanged.
+             * @description Set max_tokens on every routed request to the output ceiling of the tier model it lands on, replacing whatever the caller sent. A caller behind an auto-router cannot pick one value that fits every tier: the smallest tier's ceiling starves a bigger tier's thinking budget, and a bigger tier's ceiling is rejected by the smallest. The ceiling is the smallest max_output_tokens across the tier model's deployments, read from each deployment's model_info and then the model cost map; a tier model with a deployment whose ceiling is unknown keeps the caller's value. A max_tokens, max_completion_tokens or max_output_tokens in the tier's own litellm_params still wins. Set "clamp" to keep a smaller positive caller value and cap a larger one at the ceiling. Set false to forward the caller's value unchanged.
              * @default true
              */
-            max_tokens_from_tier_model: boolean;
+            max_tokens_from_tier_model: boolean | "clamp";
             /**
              * Modality Pin Override
              * @description Let modality_routing replace a kept session-affinity pin on the turns that carry an image. Without this, a session pinned to a text-only model fails every image turn with a provider 400, since the pin is exempt from the modality gate. When enabled, such a turn routes to a capable model for that request only and the stored pin is left untouched, so the next text turn replays the session's own model; the override is reported as cause modality_pin_override and is never itself pinned. Inert unless modality_routing is also enabled.