# Rate Limit Exceeded

**Code:** `API-003` · **Category:** API

The API rejected the request because the client has exceeded the allowed number of requests within a specified time period.

## Common causes

- Too many requests in a short period
- API plan has a low request limit
- Application is making unnecessary repeated requests
- Multiple clients are sharing the same API credentials
- Retry logic is generating excessive requests

## Quick fix

1. Wait before sending additional requests
2. Check the API rate-limit headers
3. Reduce request frequency
4. Implement request throttling
5. Upgrade the API plan if necessary

## Detailed fix by platform

### JavaScript

1. Implement exponential backoff
2. Throttle repeated API requests
3. Cache responses where appropriate

### PHP

1. Add request throttling
2. Implement retry delays with exponential backoff
3. Cache frequently requested API responses

### API

1. Review rate-limit documentation
2. Monitor remaining request quota
3. Upgrade the API plan if higher limits are required

## How to diagnose

1. **Check the API response status** — 
2. **Inspect rate-limit headers** — 
3. **Review API usage statistics** — 
4. **Identify repeated requests** — 
5. **Check whether multiple applications share the same credentials** — 

---
Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/api/api-003-rate-limit-exceeded)