GraphQL: Query is too complex / exceeds maximum operation depth / complexity limit
The server rejected the query because it’s too deep or too expensive according to its depth/complexity limits.
Query is too complexexceeds maximum operation depthQuery has complexity ofexceeds max depth Meaning
Public GraphQL APIs (GitHub, Shopify) and servers with graphql-depth-limit or cost analysis protect themselves from huge queries. Request fewer fields/levels or paginate smaller.
Common causes
- Deeply nested query beyond max depth
- Large page sizes multiplying cost (first: 100 inside first: 100)
- Requesting many connections at once
⚡ Quick fix
- Reduce nesting and page sizes
- Split into multiple queries
- Check the API’s cost/rate-limit fields in the response
Detailed fix by platform
JavaScript
- javascript
// smaller pages + cursor pagination query { repository(owner: "o", name: "r") { issues(first: 20, after: $cursor) { nodes { title } pageInfo { endCursor hasNextPage } } } }
How to diagnose
- Limits — Documented depth/cost
- Query — Nesting and first/last sizes
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Last updated 13 Oct 2026