Is Pexels API down?
Current status, daily uptime history and troubleshooting for the Pexels API (Photography).
No, Pexels is up
Pexels answered our last daily check (Oct 24, 2026, 12:25 UTC) in 76 ms with HTTP 403.
Checking Pexels now…
Sending a request from our server.
Pexels API uptime history
- Uptime
- 2 checks so far
- Last check
- Oct 24, 2026, 12:25 UTC
- Response
- 76 ms · HTTP 403
- Last up
- Now
We check Pexels's listed URL (https://www.pexels.com/api/) once a day. History started when Pexels was first checked, so new entries show fewer than 30 days.
What does HTTP 403 mean? Read the 403 explainer.
Pexels API not working for you?
- Pexels needs an API key. A 401 or 403 usually means a missing, expired or mis-sent credential: check whether it belongs in a header or the query string.
- A 429 response means you're being rate-limited. Slow down, cache responses, and respect any Retry-After header.
- If it works from one network but not another, check firewalls, VPNs and regional blocks.
- Check the provider's documentation, status page or social accounts for planned maintenance or a changed endpoint.
Photography APIs up at their last check
- 1
ObjectCut API
Online · 356 msAutomatic background removal real-time service powered by AI.
- Fast: 356 ms response
- Callable from the browser (CORS)
- HTTPS
apiKeyHTTPSCORS - 2
Lorem Picsum API
Online · 536 msImages from Unsplash. A free photography API by Lorem Picsum.
- No API key needed
- HTTPS
No authHTTPSCORS ? - 3
PlaceKeanu API
Online · 961 msResizable Keanu Reeves placeholder images with grayscale and young Keanu options.
- No API key needed
- HTTPS
No authHTTPSCORS ? - 4
Readme typing SVG API
Online · 704 msCustomizable typing and deleting text SVG.
- No API key needed
- HTTPS
No authHTTPSCORS ? - 5
Screenshotlayer API
Online · 993 msFree URL to Screenshot API - capture crisp and clean snapshots of any website, with any device, any setting and lightning fast.
- No API key needed
- HTTPS
No authHTTPSCORS ?
Pexels API status FAQ
Is Pexels API down right now?
Pexels answered our last daily check (Oct 24, 2026, 12:25 UTC) in 76 ms with HTTP 403. This page also runs a live check from our server when you open it, so you can see whether Pexels is responding at this moment.
How do you check whether Pexels API is up?
Once a day our checker requests Pexels's listed URL (https://www.pexels.com/api/) and records whether it answers within 15 seconds. Answers like 401 (needs a key), 403 (blocks bots) or 429 (rate-limited) count as up, because the server responded. The listed URL is often the documentation page, so an API endpoint can occasionally fail while its docs stay up.
What can I use if Pexels API is down?
Free Photography APIs that were up at their last check include ObjectCut, Lorem Picsum, PlaceKeanu. See the full list of Pexels alternatives for a comparison.
Why does Pexels API work for others but not for me?
Pexels needs an API key. A 401 or 403 usually means a missing, expired or mis-sent credential: check whether it belongs in a header or the query string. A 429 response means you're being rate-limited. Slow down, cache responses, and respect any Retry-After header. If it works from one network but not another, check firewalls, VPNs and regional blocks.