Tooling
Rate Limit
Maximum number of API requests allowed in a time window for Kalshi APIs.
Detailed explanation
Rate limits cap how many requests you can send to Kalshi’s REST and WebSocket APIs in a rolling window. They protect the system from abuse and help ensure consistent latency for all users. If you exceed a limit, Kalshi may return HTTP 429 or close the WebSocket feed momentarily; you’ll need to back off and retry according to the retry-after guidance in the response. As a KalshiArb user, design your bot to respect quotas, batch non-urgent calls, and implement exponential backoff to avoid triggering limits during bursts.
Rate limiting is typically enforced per API key and differs between endpoints (read vs trade). In practice, you’ll balance the need for fresh market data (order books, candlesticks, and events) with the cost of hitting limits during high-activity periods. Proper handling minimizes data staleness and reduces the risk of partial fills or failed orders during fast-moving arbitrage opportunities.
Worked example
Example: You have a rate limit of 60 requests per minute for market data. Your bot requests 60 GET /markets and 60 GET /markets/{ticker}/orderbook in the first minute. In the second minute, an extra 5 requests cause a 429. Implementing exponential backoff with jitter and caching reduces retries and keeps your edge intact (e.g., back off 1s, then 2s, then 4s).
FAQ
- What is a rate limit in Kalshi APIs?
- It’s the maximum number of allowed API calls per time window per API key across the REST and WebSocket layers. Hitting it can trigger 429s or temporary disconnects.
- How should you handle hitting a rate limit?
- Back off, retry with exponential backoff and jitter, and consider reusing cached data when possible to maintain edge without violating quotas.
- Can rate limits vary by endpoint or market?
- Yes. Different endpoints and data streams (e.g., read vs trade) may have separate quotas; check the API response headers for exact limits and retry guidance.
See Rate Limit on a live Kalshi market
KalshiArb scans every open Kalshi market for arbitrage edges where YES + NO < $1.00. Plug in your Kalshi API key and start receiving alerts in under 5 minutes.
Related terms
- API KeyA unique token used to sign and authorize requests to Kalshi's REST and WebSocket APIs.
- Websocket FeedReal-time streaming channel delivering live Kalshi market data (order book, trades, and ticks).
- Rest APIA REST API is Kalshi’s read/write interface for markets, events, and trades via HTTP endpoints.