> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.snipex.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rate Limits

> Understanding Snippex API rate limits and credits

## Credits

Snippex uses a **credit-based system**. Each successful call to `POST /v1/search` consumes **1 credit**, regardless of the number of results or snippets returned.

New accounts receive **100 free credits** to start — no credit card required.

Credits are \*\*$0.02 each** (minimum purchase: 250 credits / $5). Top up anytime from your [settings page](https://snipex.dev/settings).

Check your remaining balance anytime in the [dashboard](https://snipex.dev/dashboard).

## Rate limits

Rate limits are applied per API key to ensure fair usage.

| Plan          | Requests / hour |
| ------------- | --------------- |
| Pay-as-you-go | 100             |

## Error responses

When you exceed the rate limit, the API returns:

```json HTTP 429 theme={null}
{
  "detail": "Rate limit exceeded."
}
```

## Playground limits

The interactive [Playground](https://snipex.dev/playground) has separate, lower limits for unauthenticated users (5 requests/hour per IP). Sign in to use your account's full limit in the playground.