Ahrefs API pricing, limits and access
What the Ahrefs API v3 costs, who can use it and its published limits, from the official pages, with the catalogue Actors for Ahrefs data beside it.
Short answer
Ahrefs API access comes through eligible paid plans, and requests consume units according to returned rows and selected attributes, subject to a minimum charge per request. A default request-rate limit also applies, while other paid plans can use a limited set of free test queries.
Rates and dates checked 2026-11-12 against the sources below. How the comparison works.Facts that decide the bill
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Public API |
| Official API | Ahrefs API v3 |
| Who can use it | Ahrefs API v3 covers Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, SERP Overview, Rank Tracker, Site Audit and more. It is available on eligible paid plans; other paid plans can run a limited set of free test queries |
| Published price | The pricing page lists Lite at $129, Standard at $249 and Advanced at $449 per month, each with API and MCP access. Requests consume API units by rows and fields, with a minimum of 50 units per request; Enterprise is through sales |
| Limits | 60 requests per minute by default; requests may also be throttled under load. Consumed API units are non-refundable |
What this means in practice
Plan access and test queries
The pricing page lists API and MCP access on Lite, Standard and Advanced, with Enterprise handled through sales. For other paid plans, the documented free test queries offer a limited way to explore API responses.
Control unit use and request pace
Request count is only part of the cost calculation: returned rows and selected attributes affect unit consumption, and each request carries a minimum charge. Keep responses focused on the information needed for the task.
Requests may be throttled under load as well as by the default rate limit. Allow for delayed requests, and review query scope before submission because consumed units are non-refundable.
Routes that work for Ahrefs data
The official route first, then the catalogue Actors that fit this problem, by their published fields. Store figures are the publisher's public numbers.
| Route | Core fields | Price / 1K | Success, 30 days | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public APIAhrefs API v3 | not compared | below | Official docs | |
| Ahrefs Domain Rating, Backlinks & Traffic Lookup | 3/5 | $0.99 | 9 runs, too few to rate | Open in Apify Store |
Official price: The pricing page lists Lite at $129, Standard at $249 and Advanced at $449 per month, each with API and MCP access. Requests consume API units by rows and fields, with a minimum of 50 units per request; Enterprise is through sales. Compare all 9 Ahrefs routes.
Questions people ask
Can I try the API without full access?
Other paid plans can run a limited set of free test queries. Use the documented examples to inspect responses before choosing a plan for broader access.
Is each request charged the same number of units?
Unit consumption depends on returned rows and selected attributes, with a minimum charge per request. Estimate usage from the queries you intend to send.
Can requests be throttled below the default rate limit?
Ahrefs may throttle requests under load. Build request handling that can wait and retry when throttling occurs.
Can consumed API units be refunded?
Consumed API units are non-refundable. Check query scope before sending requests that could consume a substantial allowance.
Sources
Every dated claim on this page comes from the public sources below. Check the source before you make a business decision on it.
- Ahrefs API v3 documentation — checked 2026-11-11
- Ahrefs API v3 pricing — checked 2026-11-11
- Ahrefs official source — checked 2026-11-11
- Ahrefs terms — checked 2026-11-11
Need the data without the official API?
Ahrefs Domain Rating, Backlinks & Traffic Lookup returns 3 of 5 core Ahrefs fields at $0.99 per 1,000 results. Compare all 9 Ahrefs routes.