Skip to main content
Note
Rate limiting is effective as of April 27, 2026.
Marqeta applies API rate limits on Core API requests to provide enhanced protection against service disruptions and improved overall system availability. Rate limits ensure proper compute and storage resource allocation and a reliable API experience. Rate limiting is a control mechanism that restricts the number of API requests or operations that can be performed within a specific time period and applies thresholds to API endpoints, user authentication attempts, and system operations. Rate limits generally:
  • Use time-based windows, expressed as requests per second (RPS) or transactions per second (TPS).
  • Apply at multiple levels: IP address, API key, user account, or endpoint.
  • Use configurable thresholds based on program requirements.
  • Automatically reset after the designated time window expires.
  • Return the HTTP 429 Too many requests status code when thresholds are exceeded.

Rate limiting benefits

Marqeta uses rate limits to prevent abuse and protect the stability, reliability, and performance of the Marqeta platform. Rate limiting is consistent with standard industry practice, and helps Marqeta achieve the following goals:
  • Reduce the impact of potential risks, such as service degradation from traffic surges or cascading failures.
  • Protect the Marqeta platform from becoming overloaded, reducing the possibility that any single tenant or malicious actor could degrade service quality for others.
  • Provide security by protecting Marqeta customers from the impacts of service disruptions due to automated attacks, such as credential stuffing, brute force attempts, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
  • Highlight unusual request patterns that often indicate fraudulent activity, providing security teams with early warning signals for investigation.

Program-based rate limiting at Marqeta

Marqeta applies rate limits at the program level, which means that your program has one aggregated API throughput limit across all Core API calls. Authorization traffic is excluded from rate limits, so that only your API usage is affected. When your program exceeds the established limit, the Marqeta platform returns a status code of HTTP 429 Too many requests, and the API request is not successful. These requests must be resubmitted once traffic drops below the program limit. For example, if your program limit is 200 RPS and you make 300 concurrent calls, 100 of those requests will receive an HTTP 429 response. Your specific rate limits are based on Marqeta’s analysis of your program’s historical usage patterns and infrastructure requirements.
  • Proactive Partnership: If Marqeta has not yet informed you about your program’s rate limit, contact your Account Manager before April 27, 2026.
  • Multiple Programs: If you have more than one program live with Marqeta, the new rate limits are applied individually at the program level and are aggregated across all API calls within that specific program.
  • Revising Limits: If you outgrow your assigned limits, they can be revised. You can submit a request via your dedicated Customer Success Account Manager for an evaluation.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific rate limit requirements, contact Marqeta Support.