Kaizen #203 - Answering Your Questions | Handling API Limits and Error Responses

Kaizen #203 - Answering Your Questions | Handling API Limits and Error Responses



Hi Everyone,
Welcome back to yet another post in the Kaizen Series! 
We appreciate your keen participation in the 200th milestone celebration of the Kaizen series. We will continue to answer the queries we received through the feedback. 
When working with Zoho CRM APIs, you must respect API limits, handle errors properly, and deliver meaningful experiences—even when things go wrong. In this post, we will discuss handling API limits and error responses.

Understanding Zoho CRM API Limits

Zoho CRM enforces API limits based on the purchased user licenses and add-on credits, and this is to ensure availability to all users and prevent abuse of its APIs. The following limits are applicable to Zoho CRM REST APIs.

  • API Credits Limits: Each edition (Free, Standard, Professional, etc.) comes with a set number of API credits per rolling 24-hour window. For example, Enterprise/Zoho One offers a baseline of 50,000 plus 1,000 per user license, with a cap up to 5,000,000 credits including add-one credits. You can refer to our help documentation on API limits for more details.
  • Concurrency Limits: Concurrency is the number of parallel API calls that are active at one time instance. Apps are capped at concurrent requests based on CRM edition: Free (5), Standard (10), Professional (15), Enterprise (20), Ultimate (25).
  • Sub-Concurrency Limits: Some resource-intensive APIs have their own concurrency limits (typically 10 concurrent requests): bulk updates, queries, lead conversion, mail, etc. Exceeding these returns a TOO_MANY_REQUESTS error.
  • Limits per Call: Different APIs have specific limits for the number of resources that can be inserted/updated. For example for insert, update, or upsert records, you can pass up to 100 records in one API call. Refer to the individual help documentation for any such limits.

Tips:

  • Monitor Usage: Use Zoho’s dashboard to track API credits in real time. Set alerts if you are approaching limits. Alternatively, keep an eye on the header X-API-CREDITS-REMAINING which denotes the remaining credits that will be present in the response when your API usage exceeds 50 percent or the daily available credit limit. Also, you can customize your usage notification to receive an email alert.
  • Batch Operations: Prefer bulk inserts/updates (up to 100 records/call) to reduce wasteful requests. Use composite APIs when multiple APIs need to be executed. 
  • Space Out Calls: When integrating, use logical intervals and avoid call bursts to prevent concurrency /subconcurrency limit getting applied. We have covered this in more detail in our previous Kaizen post : How to effectively handle API calls to optimize API credits?

Limits in Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs

Like our REST APIs, our GraphQL API calls also consume credits based on the type and number of resources queried. Maximum allowed credits per call is 10 credits.
Complexity for each query is calculated based on the type and number of resources requested, and maximum allowed complexity is 1,000 per query. 
Depth refers to the number of nesting layers of a field. Depth up to seven for metadata and three for records is allowed.
You can refer to our GraphQL API documentation on Credits, Complexity, and Depth for more details.

Handling Errors

 Zoho CRM REST APIs return 200 status codes for every successful API call. Each API error has these sections:
  • Status Code 
  • Error Code 
  • Message 
Different sections of an error response
Here "resource_path_index": 0 in the response indicates which segment of the URL path contains the error, counting after the API version.

Common Errors

  • 400 Bad Request:  
    • INVALID_MODULE
      • Cause: Incorrect module name (e.g., "Lead" vs "Leads").
      • Fix: Use exact API names from Setup > Developer Space > APIs.
    • INVALID_DATA
      • Cause: Malformed JSON/wrong data type.
      • Fix: Validate field formats.
    • DUPLICATE_DATA
      • Cause: Unique field value exists elsewhere.
      • Fix: Disable "Do not allow duplicates" or change value.
    • MANDATORY_NOT_FOUND
      • Cause: Missing required field (e.g., Last_Name in Contacts while trying to insert a new record in Contacts module).
      • Fix: Include all mandatory fields in the request.
  •  401 Unauthorized: 
    • AUTHENTICATION_FAILED
      • Cause: Wrong domain URL .
      • Fix: Use the correct domain-specific URL.
    • INVALID_TOKEN:
      • Cause: Expired OAuth token is used for making API call.
      • Fix: Refresh access token using the refresh token.
  • 403 Forbidden: 
    • NO_PERMISSION
      • Cause: User lacks permission for the resource.
      • Fix: Obtain necessary permission to access the resource.
  •  404 Not Found: 
    • INVALID_URL_PATTERN
      • Cause: URL syntax error.
      • Fix: Verify endpoint structure in API docs.
  •  429 Too Many Requests: 
    • TOO_MANY_REQUESTS
      • Cause: Number of API requests for the 24 hour period is exceeded or the concurrency/sub-concurrency limit of the user for the app is exceeded.
      • Fix: Make calls in accordance with the limits.
  • 207 Multi-Status: 
    • In some cases when the API is partially successful, 207 status code is returned.

Tips

  • Mandatory Fields: Provide all mandatory fields in the response body.
  • OAuth Issues: Ensure correct scopes.
  • Inspect Every Response Body: Parse responses even if the HTTP status code returned is 2XX. 
  • Validate Data Before Calling: Ensure your request matches the expected format. Clean data before submission to prevent 400-range errors (e.g., MANDATORY_NOT_FOUND, DUPLICATE_DATA).
  • Token Issues: Respond to INVALID_TOKEN with a token refresh workflow.

Error Status Code in GraphQL APIs 

Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs return errors in 200 and 400 status codes depending on error type. 200 HTTP status codes are returned in two cases. 
(a) Issue in the input when validated against the schema .
(b) Runtime errors due to credits, depth, and so on.

Refer to the Status Codes and Responses page in GraphQL for more information.
We hope you found this post useful. We will be back next week to answer another query we received.
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments or drop us an email at support@zohocrm.com.

    • Recent Topics

    • How Can i put a form in Zobot

      Hi,how can i integrate a form which has a multiple options to choose from.the form should be opened or displayed by zobot after it meets a requirement in the conversation. Thanks in advance !

    • Has Anyone successfully integrated Zoho and Sage Intact?

      Hey all, We’re evaluating Zoho One + Sage Intacct and I’m trying to connect with anyone who has actually implemented the two together.Specifically, I’d love to know: -- Which functions you kept in Zoho vs. Intacct (e.g., Product Catalog, AR/AP, invoicing,

    • Admin asked me for Backend Details when I wanted to verify my ZeptoMail Account

      Please provide the backend details where you will be adding the SMTP/API information of ZeptoMail Who knows what this means?

    • Playback and Management Enhancements for Zoho Quartz Recordings

      Hello Zoho Team, We hope you're all doing well. We would like to submit a feature request related to Zoho Quartz, the tool used to record and share browser sessions with Zoho Support. 🎯 Current Functionality As of now, Zoho Quartz allows users to record

    • Zoho Analytics - Feature Request For Time Based Data Source Fetch

      Hi Analytics Team, I have a client using Zoho CRM and they want a weekly report at 4:30pm every Friday, emailed to the sales team showing a pie chart of Closed Won Deals for that week. This is easy to achieve in Analytics but not so easy to ensure the

    • Which user's capacity is used for Shared Mailbox storage?

      We use shared mailboxes at our company, and their size is increasing daily. Which user(s)'s total mailbox limit is being used up by this space?

    • Inserting the current date / time

      I'd like to use Zoho Notebook as a log - so it would be great to be able to insert the current date and time at the beginning (or end) of each my log/journal entries - or wherever I want. Something simple, like pressing a button/icon to insert it wherever my text cursor is. It could be formatted like "Mon Dec 11, 2017 - 11:43p". 

    • Migrate data from old to new account

      Hy, Have one Old Zoho Notebook Account with Data , want to migrate that whole Data to New Zoho Notebook Account which is in Zoho One . Is that possible ? If Yes then how?

    • Campaign editor overrides href value

      I've been trying to insert a deep link in an email campaign so recipients can directly open a native app on their device. My deep link looks something like "myapp://". The options to insert links in the campaign editor are limited to strict urls, emails,

    • Can't login IMAP suddenly

      Since this evening I'm getting the error: You are yet to enable IMAP for your account. Please contact your administrator... IMAP always been enabled in my account and was workign fine for the past 7 years. Already tried turning IMAP off and on again.

    • how to add subform over sigma in the CRM

      my new module don't have any subform available any way to add this from sigma or from the crm

    • Bug Report and Suggestions for Improvement in Zoho Applications

      Hi Zoho Team, I’d like to report a few bugs and improvement suggestions I’ve noticed while using Zoho products: Zoho Cliq Video Call: The camera sometimes turns off automatically during video calls. This seems to be a bug — please check and fix it. Zoho

    • Super Admin Logging in as another User

      How can a Super Admin login as another user. For example, I have a sales rep that is having issues with their Accounts and I want to view their Zoho Account with out having to do a GTM and sharing screens. Moderation Update (8th Aug 2025): We are working

    • Canvas Flex Box containers should not require a width/height.

      Flexbox containers are often used as organizational concepts, to ease re-flow on mobile etc. - I cannot use % for flexbox W or H - I cannot omit W or H This means that the content cannot dictate, and a Flexbox container cannot be used merely as an organizational

    • Zoho Desk Android app update: Filter enhancement, Save Filters

      Hello everyone! We have now enhanced the filter section on the ticket listing screen of Zoho Desk Android app as it is on the web(desk.zoho.com). Also, we have introduced an option to save filters for tickets on the mobile app. You can easily apply, rename,

    • Very long loading times | bad performance [ZOHO DC: EU]

      Hello there, we have recently noticed that the loading times have become extremely long when retrieving tickets and ticket details. For example, I open any ticket and get the following view. The subject and standard information (ticket owner, status etc.)

    • Zia Profile Summary now supports six languages and responds faster

      After numerous customer requests, we’ve expanded Zia Profile Summary to do more than just summarize resumes quickly. It can now summarize them in six different languages and deliver results even faster. What’s New 1. Extended language support Zia can

    • Introducing Zoho Show Android 3.0

      Good ideas need the right space to grow. They deserve tools that move as fast as your thoughts and make creating feel effortless. And that is why we are bringing you Zoho Show Android 3.0! From a brand-new look and smoother navigation to improved collaboration

    • Properly Capture Dropdowns & Hover Elements When Recording a Window/Tab

      Hi Zoho WorkDrive Team, Hope you are doing great. We encountered a limitation when recording a selected window or browser tab: Certain UI elements, such as dropdown lists, hover menus, and overlays, are not captured unless we record the entire screen.

    • Peppol integration zoho invoicefu

      Hi, Belgium will require Peppol invoicing as of 2026. I found that this is being prepared for Zoho books, to be released in Sep 2025. Will Zoho Invoice get this functionality too? I like the Invoice app for my part-time side business as bike mechanic

    • CRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive

      Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage files

    • Allow Recording Only a Selected Portion of the Screen

      Hi Zoho WorkDrive Team, Hope you are doing well. We would like to request a more flexible recording option in Zoho WorkDrive. At the moment, we can record either the entire screen or a specific window/tab — but not a custom selected portion of the screen

    • Restricting Calendar View to Working Hours

      Hi: I'm trying to implement a calendar which displays all of my customer appointments.  Currently, the calendar shows all 24 hours of the day.  Is there a way to restrict the hours to simply the times my business is open? Thanks!

    • Add Camera Background Blur During Recording

      Hi Zoho WorkDrive Team, Hope everything is well. We would like to request an enhancement to the video recording feature in Zoho WorkDrive. Currently, the camera preview displayed during a recording does not support background blur. This is an essential

    • Amazon FBA integration - Handle invoice reconciliation under different GSTINs,

      Dear Zoho Community, Thank you for the clarification regarding the Amazon FBA integration, default warehouse, and GSTIN mapping in Zoho Inventory. I understand that Zoho currently supports only one warehouse for Amazon FBA, and that all FBA orders are

    • Whatsapp Integration questions

      Hi Questions: 1. Whatsapp messages are not reaching our CRM, is there a delay? 2. Is there any way to create a whatsapp catalog on a number that is integrated with ZOHO? 3. How do I configure my profile picture on a number that is integrated with ZO

    • Allow Font Size 11 in Editors...

      That is basic functionality...

    • link mail.zoho.com/UnblockMe to unblock

      Could you please unblock my account heloisa.bomfim@expansaodenegocios.com

    • Unblocked me

      Please can you help unblocked my account thanks materiauxjcbrunet2000@zohomail.com

    • Integrating External Portal Tickets Into Zoho Desk

      A B2B travel company has a customer portal where clients can raise and submit tickets related to their bookings. These tickets need to be handled and managed in the backend through Zoho Desk. Ticket updates and replies from Zoho Desk should also be visible

    • Make Camera Overlay & Recording Controls Visible in All Screen-Sharing Options

      Hi Zoho WorkDrive Team, Hope you are doing well. We would like to request an improvement to the screen-recording experience in Zoho WorkDrive. Current Limitation: At the moment the recording controls are visible only inside the Zoho WorkDrive tab. When

    • Send WhatsApp voice messages from Bigin

      Greetings, I hope all of you are doing well. We're happy to announce this enhancement we've made to Bigin. Bigin's WhatsApp integration now supports audio messages, so you can record and send voice messages. This makes it easier to handle customer questions

    • CUSTOM FUNCTION GIVE ERROR #EVAL!

      CUSTEM FUNCTION CREATE KYA ZOHOSHEET ME US FUNCTION KO USE KIYA LEKIN DATA TO SAHI HAI LAKIN DATA SHEET ME NAHI LAG LAHA HAI KRUPYA SOLVE KARE MY CODE IS float ADDTWO_TWO(float NO1, float NO2) { ADD = NO1 + NO2; return ADD; }

    • Samsung Keyboard Issues with Notebook

      Dear Users, We're sorry to inform you that some of our users are experiencing certain issues like scrolling, delay/lag, cursor placement especially within the text notes. This occurs mainly due to Samsung Keyboard compatibility with Android 13 and some

    • Zoho Books | Product updates | October 2025

      Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From iOS 26 updates to viewing reports as charts, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Zoho Books Updates for Apple Devices At WWDC 2025, Apple

    • Zoho Developer Community Hackathon 2025 is LIVE!

      Hey developers! It’s that time of the year again — the Zoho Developer Community Hackathon 2025 is officially open for registrations! If you’ve been waiting for a chance to stretch your skills, try something new, or finally bring that idea to life, this

    • Zoho Books | Product updates | September 2025

      Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From PayNow payment method to applying journal credits to invoices and bills in other locations, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Integrate

    • Contact data removes Account data when creating a quote

      Hi, Our customer has address fields in their quote layout which should be the address of the Account. They prefill the information, adding the account name - the address data is populated as per what is in the account - great. However when they then add

    • filter broke my data

      I uploaded a file recently from Sheets and it has top 2 rows frozen, with table headers in second row and each one is filterable. somehow my first 2 columns became unfiltered and no matter what I do I cannot reapply the filter?? also didn't realize they

    • Zoho Workdrive for Office, "vsto runtime not found"

      Hi all, I have been trying to get ZohoWorkdrive_MS-addin_1.4.exe installed, but I keep getting the error "VSTO Runtime Not Found!" - even though I have installed it ... Anyone else hear had problems with the MS addin?  FYI, I am using O365 on A Dell laptop running Win 10 Home - fully patched and up-to-date.  I have tried compatibility modes and running explicitly as Administrator - the usual steps. Any advice would be appreciated.

    • Next Page