M
API Matrix

Pexels API

⭐ Beginner's Pick Photography / API Key Intermediate HTTPS CORS
Varies by plan (check documentation)
42 Score
Grade D
Visit Official Site Compare Alternatives

Overview

Pexels API provides free access to a large library of high-quality stock photos and videos contributed by talented creators, all under the Pexels license. You can search for photos and videos by keyword, browse curated collections, and get popular media with a single API key. It is an excellent choice for developers who need royalty-free imagery without dealing with licensing complexity.

💡

Beginner Tip

Your Pexels API key must be included as the Authorization header (not with Bearer prefix, just the raw key) in every request. Always attribute photos to the photographer using the photographer and photographer_url fields as required by the Pexels license.

Available Data

image URLs in multiple sizes
photographer credit
image dimensions
download link
color data
stock price and symbol

Example Response

JSON Response 
{
  "id": "Dwu85P9SOIk",
  "urls": {
    "full": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-...",
    "regular": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-...?w=1080",
    "thumb": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-...?w=200"
  },
  "width": 4000,
  "height": 3000,
  "user": {
    "name": "John Doe",
    "username": "johndoe"
  }
}

Field Reference

photos[].id Unique identifier for the photo, usable to fetch that specific photo later.
photos[].photographer Name of the photographer; must be displayed for attribution as required by the Pexels license.
photos[].src.original URL of the photo at its original full resolution.
photos[].src.medium URL of a medium-sized version of the photo, suitable for web display.
photos[].alt Alt text description of the photo, useful for accessibility.
total_results Total number of photos matching the search query, useful for implementing pagination.

Implementation Example 

// ⚠️ Note: This URL may be a documentation page. Check official docs for actual API endpoint.
const url = "https://www.pexels.com/api/";
// Replace headers or query params with the values required by this API.
const response = await fetch(url, {
  headers: {
  "X-API-Key": "YOUR_API_KEY"
  }
});
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

401 Unauthorized The Authorization header is missing or contains an invalid API key.
✓ Include the header Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY (without Bearer prefix) in every request; get your key from https://www.pexels.com/api/.
429 Too Many Requests You have exceeded the rate limit of 200 requests per hour or 20,000 per month on the free plan.
✓ Cache API responses to reduce repeated calls, and implement a retry with delay when you receive a 429 response.
Empty results array The search query returned no matching photos, often due to a very specific or misspelled term.
✓ Try broader or simpler search terms, and always check the total_results field before iterating over the photos array.

Matrix Score Breakdown

🌐 Reachability 0/30
⚡ Speed 10/20
🔒 Security 15/15
🛠 Developer XP 17/20
✓ Reliability 0/15

Partially tested on Apr 5, 2026

Technical Specifications

Auth API Key
HTTPS REQUIRED
CORS YES
Category Photography
Difficulty Intermediate
Verified: 2026-04-04

Alternatives to Pexels

Technical alternatives for different use cases.

Flickr

Free stock photos and videos with simple API

Better For

User-uploaded niche photography collections

Trade-off

Combined photo and video content needs

Pixabay

Includes illustrations, vectors, and music alongside photos

Better For

Diverse media types beyond just photography

Trade-off

Consistent photo quality and modern aesthetic

Unsplash

Higher quality curated photos from professional photographers

Better For

Premium-quality hero images and editorial photography

Trade-off

Video content (Pexels includes free videos)

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