API Rate Limits
Rate limits are per endpoint and per account, in two tiers. An API key you generate in your account settings gets the standard tier on a Hobby or Pro plan, and the Business tier on a Business plan.
Standard (Hobby and Pro individual plans)
| Endpoint | Requests per second | Requests per day |
|---|---|---|
/mix-colors | 5 | 50 |
/unmix-color | 1 | 3 |
/similar-paints | 1 | 10 |
/paints/search | 1 | 10 |
Business plan
| Endpoint | Requests per second | Requests per day |
|---|---|---|
/mix-colors | 50 | 60,000 |
/unmix-color | 5 | 300 |
/similar-paints | 5 | 1,000 |
/paints/search | 5 | 1,000 |
Business limits can be raised on request. Contact support (opens in a new tab) if you need more.
How the limits work
- The per-second counter resets one second after the first request in its window. The daily counter resets when the server's date rolls over.
- Limits are counted per endpoint, not shared across endpoints.
- Usage is counted per account, so several keys or servers on one account draw from the same allowance.
Handling 429
Over either limit the API returns 429 with a plain-text body: Rate limit exceeded: too many requests per second or Rate limit exceeded: daily limit reached. Back off and retry, with exponential backoff for the per-second case.
Best practices
- Cache responses. Mixing the same paints at the same ratios always gives the same result.
- Spread calls out rather than sending bursts.
For a limit increase, contact our support team (opens in a new tab).