Understand rate limits
Stay within Otter API quotas so your integration remains reliable under load.
Overview
The Otter API enforces rate limits so capacity stays fair across partners. Limits apply in two ways: by IP address and by endpoint (per store and application).
IP address limits
Limits depend on whether the request is authenticated:
| Auth state | Limit |
|---|---|
| Authenticated | 20 requests per second per IP (all endpoints combined) |
| Unauthenticated | 3 requests per minute per IP |
Endpoint limits
Authenticated endpoints are rate limited individually at the store level for your application. For example, one store for one application might be allowed a fixed number of calls per minute to a given endpoint.
Exact quotas depend on the endpoint. See the per-operation Rate limit note on each page in the API reference.
When you hit a limit
- The API responds with HTTP 429 until usage drops below the threshold.
- Back off and retry with jitter. Do not tight-loop on 429.
- If you hit limits often in normal traffic, contact your TAM to review quotas or redesign chatty patterns (batching, caching, fewer polling loops).
Verify
Intentionally exceed a low-volume path only if you have a safe test plan. Confirm you receive 429 and that your client backs off. Prefer load testing against agreed quotas with your Account Representative.
Next
- API reference — per-operation rate limits
- Keep webhooks secure