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Rate Limits

The Shobdo API enforces monthly request limits based on your subscription plan. Limits reset on the first of each calendar month (UTC).

Plans & Limits

PlanMonthly RequestsPrice
Free1,000$0 / month
Developer50,000$19 / month
Professional200,000$49 / month
Pay As You GoUnlimited$5 base + $0.0005 / request

View full plan details on the Pricing page.

How It Works

  • Every API request (search, entry lookup, audio) counts as one request toward your monthly quota.
  • Requests that fail authentication (401) do not count against your limit.
  • Your usage counter resets automatically at the start of each calendar month.

Exceeding Your Limit

When you exceed your monthly quota, the API returns a 429 Too Many Requests response:

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "Monthly API rate limit exceeded (1000 requests). Please upgrade your plan."
}

Handling Rate Limits

Best Practices

  • Check the response status code. A 429 status means you have hit your limit.
  • Implement caching. Cache responses on your end to reduce redundant API calls. Dictionary data changes infrequently.
  • Upgrade your plan. If you consistently hit your limit, consider upgrading from the Pricing page.

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