> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/overview/rate-limits.md).

# Rate Limits

IONOS CLOUD Object Storage rate limits protect platform stability against resource-heavy requests and outline how to avoid throttling on IONOS CLOUD

<code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code> is a shared platform. Rate limits on specific operations prevent heavy usage by one contract from affecting other users. If your requests exceed the limit, the API returns a `429 Too Many Requests` response with a `Retry-After` header.

## Impacted operations

Rate limiting applies to the following operations on Contract-owned buckets:

* **List Objects**
* **Delete Objects**

## Hitting rate limits

Resource-heavy use of the List Objects or Delete Objects operations on [<mark style="color:blue;">Contract-owned buckets</mark>](https://api.ionos.com/docs/object-storage-contract-owned-buckets/v2/) triggers the rate limit, for example through frequent or automated repeated requests against a bucket.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> enforces rate limits per contract, not per user or endpoint. All activity under the same contract counts toward the rate limit.
{% endhint %}

If a request is rate limited, the API returns a `429` response with a `Retry-After` header estimating how long to wait before retrying.

## Mitigation strategies and best practices

If your contract hits the rate limit, consider the following:

1. **Add more time between requests.** This is the primary mitigation: spacing out consecutive List Objects or Delete Objects calls to the same bucket keeps your request rate within the allowed budget.
2. **Avoid unnecessary automated polling.** Review any scripts or integrations that call List Objects or Delete Objects automatically on a fixed, frequent schedule, and increase the interval between calls where possible.
3. **Batch or paginate deliberately.** Where your workflow allows it, retrieve or delete results in fewer, well-spaced calls rather than many rapid successive ones.
4. **Respect the `Retry-After` header.** If you receive a `429` response, wait at least the estimated duration before retrying, rather than retrying immediately.


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