StackExchange

API

RESTful API for accessing Stack Exchange's developer Q&A content

Overview

The StackExchange API provides RESTful endpoints to retrieve data from Stack Overflow and 170+ Stack Exchange sites. Key endpoints include /questions (fetch questions with filters), /answers (get answers for specific questions), /users (user profiles), and /tags (popular tags). Responses are JSON-formatted and support pagination, site-specific queries, and sorting. Use cases include building developer tools to fetch Q&A content, analyze user activity, integrate problem-solving resources into apps, or create dashboards for tracking tag trends.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://api.stackexchange.com/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful architecture
JSON response format
Covers 170+ Stack Exchange sites
Pagination & filtering options
OAuth 2.0 for authenticated actions

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is StackExchange API free to use?

Yes, the StackExchange API is free to use, but it enforces rate limits to prevent abuse.

? Does it require an API Key?

Most public endpoints do not need an API key, but authenticated actions (like posting answers) require OAuth 2.0 authentication.

? What is the response format?

All responses from the StackExchange API are in JSON format, with custom filters available to include or exclude specific data fields.

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Development

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Rich developer Q&A dataset
⊕ Well-documented endpoints
⊕ Supports site-specific queries
⊕ Free access with rate limits

Cons

⊖ Strict rate limits for unauthenticated requests
⊖ Authenticated endpoints require OAuth
⊖ Complex query parameters for advanced filtering