> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.light.inc/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rate limits

The Light API enforces rate limits to ensure fair usage and maintain optimal performance for all users. If you exceed these limits, you'll receive a `429 Too Many Requests` response.

## Rate limit structure

By default we enforce two rate limits:

#### Requests per minute

* **300 requests per minute** per API key or OAuth token
* Applied individually to each user in your organization

#### Daily limit

* **100,000 requests per day** per organization
* Resets at midnight UTC
* Shared across all users in your organization

## Handling rate limit errors

When you exceed a rate limit, you'll receive a `429 Too Many Requests` response with these headers:

* `X-RateLimit-Limit`: Maximum capacity (e.g., 300 for requests per minute limit)
* `X-RateLimit-Remaining`: Remaining capacity
* `X-RateLimit-Reset`: Unix timestamp when the rate limit will go back to full capacity
* `Retry-After`: Recommended seconds to wait before retrying

### Best practices

1. **Monitor the headers**: Check `X-RateLimit-Remaining` before making large batch requests
2. **Implement exponential backoff**: Wait progressively longer between retries (e.g., 1s, 2s, 4s, 8s)
3. **Respect `Retry-After`**: Always wait at least this long before retrying
4. **Spread out scheduled jobs**: Avoid running all batch operations at the same time

## Need higher limits?

If your use case requires higher rate limits, please contact Light support at [help@light.inc](mailto:help@light.inc) to discuss custom limits for your organization.