# API limits and quotas

All requests sent to the Google Photos APIs are counted toward a quota. We put these
limits in place to protect the system and its users.

Access to the API requires OAuth client credentials from a Google developers
project. This project must have the Photos APIs enabled as described in
[Configure your app](https://developers.google.com/photos/overview/configure-your-app).

To learn more about appropriate use of this API, see the
[Photos API User Data and Developer Policy](https://developers.google.com/photos/support/api-policy).

## API quota limits

Each API has its own quotas to protect the reliability and integrity of our
systems. If you receive a 429 error, you've likely hit one of these quotas. If
you receive one of these errors, reduce the number of requests you are making
over a given time period. For more information, refer to [retrying failed
requests](https://developers.google.com/photos/overview/best-practices#retrying-failed-requests) and
[exponential
backoff](https://developers.google.com/photos/overview/best-practices#exponential-backoff).

### Picker API quota limits

The quota limit for requests to the Photos Picker API is 100,000 requests per
minute per project.

The quota limit for requests to access media bytes (by
[loading a photo or video from a base
URL](https://developers.google.com/photos/picker/guides/media-items#base-urls))
is 1,000,000 requests per minute per project.

### Library API quota limits

The quota limit for requests to the Library API is 10,000 requests per
project per day. This includes all API requests, such as uploading, listing
media, and applying filters, but not accessing media bytes from a base URL.

The quota limit for requests to access media bytes (by
[loading a photo or video from a base
URL](https://developers.google.com/photos/library/guides/access-media-items#base-urls))
is 75,000 requests per project per day.

### Checking quota usage

To see how much of your available quota you have used, and to view or change
usage limits for your project, visit the
[Quotas page](https://console.cloud.google.com/iam-admin/quotas?service=photoslibrary.googleapis.com)
in the Google API Console and select either **Photos Picker API** or **Photos
Library API**.

### Exceeding quota limits

If the quota of requests to the Photos APIs is exceeded, the API returns
an error code 429 and a message that the project has exceeded the quota. For
more information, see the [Terms of
Service](https://developers.google.com/terms/).

### Requesting additional quota

The Google Photos partner program is geared towards large consumer
applications that require increased quota limits. If you believe your
application belongs in this category, [express interest in the
partner program](https://developers.google.com/photos/partner-program/overview).

## Photo storage and quality

All media items uploaded to Google Photos using the API are stored in
full resolution at [original
quality](https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6220791). They count toward
the user's storage.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** If your uploads exceed 25MB per user, your application should remind the user that these uploads will count towards storage in their Google Account.