Key Takeaways
Monitor key header X-MBX-USED-WEIGHT-(intervalNum)(intervalLetter) to avoid exceeding rate limits.
Respect 429 and 418 responses by following the Retry-After header in 429 errors and adjust your strategies to avoid escalating bans.
Spread out requests with self-throttling to manage rate limits effectively.
Introduction
API rate limits are essential to ensure the stability and performance of services by regulating the number of requests made by users or applications within a specific timeframe. Hitting these rate limits can result in an IP ban, disrupting your access to essential services.
This article will explore practical strategies to avoid getting banned by rate limits, particularly focusing on managing request rates and understanding key headers related to rate limits.
Request Rate Limits
Before diving into the strategies, it's important to understand the mechanics of rate limits and how they are enforced:
Rate Limit Parameters:
intervalLetter: Defines the time unit for rate limits, represented by letters like S (seconds), M (minutes), H (hours), and D (days).
intervalNum: Indicates the number of intervals. For example, an intervalNum of 5 with an intervalLetter M would mean "Every 5 minutes."
Types of Rate Limits:
RAW_REQUESTS: The total number of requests made to the API.
REQUEST_WEIGHT: The weight associated with each request, which varies based on the endpoint's complexity.
Key Headers to Monitor:
X-MBX-USED-WEIGHT-(intervalNum)(intervalLetter): Shows the current used weight for the IP, helping you track how close you are to the limit.
Example: the response header X-MBX-USED-WEIGHT-1M=100 indicates 100 weight used for a 1-minute span.
Web Application Firewall Limits
Binance does not provide exact details on Web Application Firewall rules, but if an HTTP 403 error is received, it means a rule has been broken. Most likely, it will be a result of excessive requests within a duration of 5 minutes. However, if a request is perceived as malicious, it could also result in a ban of (longer duration).
How to Avoid Rate Limit Bans
To effectively avoid rate limit bans when interacting with the REST API, follow these best practices:
Monitor Weight Usage Header: Always check the response header X-MBX-USED-WEIGHT-(intervalNum)(intervalLetter) to track your usage against the limits. This allows you to proactively adjust your request frequency.
Check the rate limits: The endpoint `/api/v3/exchangeInfo` will return a rateLimits array with the different rate limits of the exchange.
Use the limit cautiously: When getting historical data or any long list of data, try to keep a low number.
Implement Backoff Strategies: If you receive an HTTP 429 status code, indicating that you've hit the rate limit, it's crucial to back off immediately. Implement a backoff strategy that exponentially decreases the request rate after receiving a 429 error to avoid triggering an IP ban.
Optimize Request Weight: Not all endpoints have the same weight. Identify the heavier endpoints (those that perform operations on multiple symbols or data points) and optimize your usage. Where possible, consolidate multiple requests into a single call or use lighter endpoints.
Handle 429 and 418 Errors Gracefully:
429 Errors: When you hit a rate limit, the response will include a Retry-After header indicating how long you should wait before making another request. Respect this header to prevent an IP ban.
418 Errors: If you fail to back off after a 429, you might receive a 418 error, indicating an IP ban. These bans escalate in duration with repeated offenses, so it's vital to adjust your strategies immediately.
Spread Out Requests: Rather than sending a burst of requests, spread them out over time. This reduces the likelihood of hitting rate limits, especially when dealing with high-volume APIs or endpoints with heavier weights.
Practical Example: Endpoint Weight, Limit, and Error Handling
Consider the GET /api/v3/depth endpoint, which retrieves order book data. The weight of this endpoint depends on the limit parameter:
limit ≤ 100: weight = 5; limit <= 500: weight = 25; limit <= 1000: weight = 50
Let’s say your IP is allowed a total request weight of 1200 per minute. If you send 10 requests using limit=1000, that’s:
10 requests * 50 weight = 500 total weight used
This is still within your quota, but if you continue sending requests rapidly, you risk hitting the limit. The server helps you monitor this with special headers in the response:
X-MBX-USED-WEIGHT-1M: 500
These headers tell you that 500 weight units were used at the last minute, helping you adjust your request rate dynamically. If you exceed the limit, Binance returns a 429 Too Many Requests error. Here’s an example of the JSON response:
{
"code": -1003,
"msg": "Too much request weight used; current limit is 6000 request weight per 1 MINUTE. Please use WebSocket Streams for live updates to avoid polling the API."
}You’ll also typically see this header:
Retry-After: 2
This means you should wait 2 seconds before making another request. If you ignore the Retry-After and keep sending requests, Binance may escalate the issue with a 418 IP Ban response:
{
"code": -1003,
"msg": "Way too much request weight used; IP banned until 1744874068494. Please use WebSocket Streams for live updates to avoid bans."
}The number here is a Unix timestamp in milliseconds, indicating when your ban will be lifted. This practical example shows why it's essential to monitor your usage headers, throttle your request rate, and implement proper backoff strategies to avoid service interruptions and bans.
Closing Thoughts
Effectively managing API rate limits is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted access to services, especially in high-volume environments like trading platforms. By closely monitoring key header X-MBX-USED-WEIGHT-, users can stay within allowed limits and avoid disruptions.
Implementing strategies like request spreading, backoff techniques for 429 errors, and optimizing request weight helps reduce the risk of hitting rate limits or encountering escalating bans (418 errors). Following these best practices ensures smoother interactions with APIs while maintaining compliance with rate limitations and preventing service interruptions.
Further Reading
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