---
description: Clearcut api limits. Learn how to remove image backgrounds, manage jobs and work with credits in your application.
title: API Limits | Clearcut
image: https://clearcut.sh/og/docs.png
---

GUIDES

[Quick start](https://clearcut.sh/docs)[Authentication](https://clearcut.sh/docs/authentication)[Credits & billing](https://clearcut.sh/docs/credits)[Limits & retries](https://clearcut.sh/docs/limits)[Examples](https://clearcut.sh/docs/examples)[Errors](https://clearcut.sh/docs/errors)

API REFERENCE

[POSTRemove a background](https://clearcut.sh/docs/remove-background)[GETremove.bg account info](https://clearcut.sh/docs/removebg-account)[POSTCreate an image job](https://clearcut.sh/docs/create-job)[GETGet a job](https://clearcut.sh/docs/get-job)[GETList images](https://clearcut.sh/docs/list-jobs)[DELETEDelete an image](https://clearcut.sh/docs/delete-job)[GETDownload a result](https://clearcut.sh/docs/download)[POSTExport an edited image](https://clearcut.sh/docs/export)[POSTUpload a background](https://clearcut.sh/docs/background)[POSTExport a ZIP batch](https://clearcut.sh/docs/batch-export)[POSTCopy a batch background](https://clearcut.sh/docs/batch-background)[POSTSmart Brush](https://clearcut.sh/docs/smart-brush)[POSTGenerate a scene](https://clearcut.sh/docs/generate-scene)[GETCredit balance](https://clearcut.sh/docs/account)[POSTRetry a failed image](https://clearcut.sh/docs/retry-job)[GETRecent usage](https://clearcut.sh/docs/usage)[Download OpenAPI](https://clearcut.sh/openapi.json)

Developer guide / Limits & retries

# Limits & retries

Bounded work keeps the service responsive and the bill predictable.

| Limit                | Initial service                                                               |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Image input          | 22 MB/file; 24 MB total multipart request; JPG, PNG or WebP                   |
| Resolution           | 12 MP free; 50 MP with credits                                                |
| Free allowance       | 5/day per browser/account and shared IP; shared service capacity also applies |
| Free queue           | 2 pending jobs per owner; 15-second maximum wait before processing starts     |
| Paid queue           | 100 pending jobs per account; 5-minute maximum wait                           |
| Submission rate      | 60/min with API key; 30/min in browser                                        |
| Batch export         | 1–100 finished images; up to 300 MB                                           |
| Retention            | Image files: 1 hour; detailed usage and idempotency records: 7 days           |
| Synchronous API wait | 55 seconds; then 202 with job ID if still processing                          |
| Download format      | PNG, JPG, WebP; API ZIP with color and alpha; Base64 JSON up to 16 MB output  |

## Retries and idempotency

Use `Idempotency-Key` on image submissions. Reuse that key only with identical source and options. A different payload returns 409\. A completed but expired result returns 410\. After a failed job, use a new key for an intentional new attempt.

Without a key, an API request with the same image, options and quality as one from the last 10 minutes reuses that job and is not charged again, unless it failed. This protects clients that time out and resend. Send a new key to force a new job.

On 429, wait for the seconds in `Retry-After` and add random jitter. On a network timeout, check the original job or repeat the original request with the same key. Do not start a second charge while the first job is running.

## Scaling up

These are current limits, not a throughput guarantee. For larger workloads, submit jobs gradually, respect rate limits and wait for each result before downloading.

Need help?

Prefer email? [support@clearcut.sh](mailto:support@clearcut.sh)

API Limits | Clearcut

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://clearcut.sh/#organization","name":"Clearcut","url":"https://clearcut.sh","logo":"https://clearcut.sh/apple-touch-icon.png","email":"support@clearcut.sh","description":"An independent image background removal service operated by chern0.dev.","contactPoint":{"@type":"ContactPoint","email":"support@clearcut.sh","contactType":"customer support"}},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://clearcut.sh/#website","url":"https://clearcut.sh","name":"Clearcut","description":"Remove image backgrounds with Clearcut. Get 30 free credits every month for the website and API. Full-resolution downloads, no watermark. Packs from $3.","inLanguage":"en","publisher":{"@id":"https://clearcut.sh/#organization"}}]}
```