Understand and optimize Shopify API rate limits
When developing applications or integrations for Shopify, it is crucial to understand the API rate limits. These restrictions are essential to ensure optimal performance on the Shopify platform, while maintaining stability for all users.
Learn how these limits work and how to optimize them to get the most out of your integrations.
What is the Shopify API rate limit?
API rate limits define the number of requests you can send to the Shopify API over a period of time. These restrictions allow you to:
- Preventing abuse : Avoid an application consuming a disproportionate amount of resources.
- Maintaining overall performance : Ensuring that all apps and stores work effectively.
Types of API limits on Shopify:
- REST API : Operates on a points system based on a fixed budget. Each request consumes a certain number of points depending on its complexity.
- GraphQL API : Use a calculation based on a cost in “points” (cost) for each request, with a point budget regenerated every second.
The main API debit rules
REST API
- Initial allocation : 40 requests per second.
- Renewal : 2 points are restored every second.
- Cost calculation : A simple query may cost 1 point, while more complex queries, such as those retrieving a large number of objects, may cost more.
GraphQL API
- Initial budget : 1,000 points.
- Renewal : 50 points are regenerated every second.
- Cost per request : Based on complexity, calculated based on the volume and type of data requested.
Why is understanding these boundaries critical?
1. Avoid mistakes
If your apps exceed the limits, Shopify will return an error indicating that the limit has been reached. This can cause interruptions for your users or processes.
2. Optimize performance
By designing your requests to minimize costs or by spreading API calls over time, you can reduce the load on your integrations while staying within authorized limits.
3. Improving the user experience
Optimized integrations ensure fast and smooth response times for your customers.
Best practices for managing Shopify API limits
1. Use pagination
When retrieving important lists via the REST API, use the paging to limit the amount of data returned with each request.
example : When retrieving orders, limit results to 50 or 100 per query to minimize costs.
2. Prioritize the GraphQL API
GraphQL allows accurate data to be retrieved in a single request, reducing the number of calls required compared to REST.
example : A well-designed GraphQL query can get information about multiple objects (products, customers, etc.) in a single call.
3. Implement a queue system
Use a Queue system to distribute API calls and avoid spikes that could reach the limits.
4. Monitor your uses
Analyze your logs and monitor the use of your queries to identify and correct inefficiencies.
Shopify Plus: more flexible API limits
Merchants using Shopify Plus benefit from higher API limits, which is ideal for businesses with a large volume of transactions or data. This makes it possible to integrate more complex solutions while maintaining optimal performance.
Axome: your partner for efficient Shopify integrations
Chez Axome, we help brands design and develop API integrations that are optimized for Shopify. Whether you need specific connectors, custom applications, or solutions tailored to your needs, our team guarantees maximum performance while respecting API speed limits. Contact us to find out more!