# 42918: Account-wide API request rate exceeded

Identifier: `rate_limit_exceeded_account_api_requests`



A REST API request was rejected because the request rate across the account exceeded the configured account-wide limit. A proportion of requests are rejected to bring the account back within its limit.

## What you should do

If the request matters, retry it after a short delay, increasing the delay if it is rejected again.

This limit applies to your account's total REST API request rate, so making the requests from more clients or API keys does not help: every request in the account counts towards it. If your account consistently needs a higher request rate, you can [request a higher limit](https://ably.com/docs/general/limits.md).

## Why it happens

Your account has a maximum total rate at which REST API requests can be made across all of its apps, set by your account's limits. When the account exceeds it, Ably rejects a proportion of requests to bring the account back within the limit.

## What you'll see

The request is rejected. The error is reported with code 42918 and HTTP status 429, with a message of the form `Maximum account-wide instantaneous apiRequests rate exceeded; permitted rate = ...; metric = apiRequests.maxRate`.