What is API pagination?

When you make a request to an API, you might expect to receive all the data you asked for in a single response. But what happens when that dataset is massive? Imagine requesting a list of 10,000 security alerts, or every user in your organization's directory. Sending all that data at once would be slow, resource-intensive, and in many cases, impractical.

That's where API pagination comes in. Pagination is a technique that breaks large datasets into smaller, more manageable chunks. Think of it like browsing an online store. Instead of loading thousands of products on one endless page, you click "Next" to view the next set of items. APIs work the same way, returning a subset of results per request and providing a way to retrieve the next batch.

Why APIs use pagination 

APIs implement pagination for several practical reasons:

• Performance: Returning smaller chunks of data is faster and uses less bandwidth.

• Resource management: Servers can handle requests more efficiently when they're not processing massive datasets.

• User experience: Applications can display results progressively rather than waiting for everything to load.

• Rate limiting: Pagination helps APIs stay within rate limits by spreading requests over time.

Common pagination methods 

Page-based pagination 

This is the most straightforward approach. The API uses page numbers to organize results, similar to chapters in a book. You specify which page you want, and optionally how many items per page.

Example API request parameters:

• page=1 (which page to retrieve)

• per_page=20 (how many items per page)

How to spot it: Look for parameters like page, page_number, or per_page in the API documentation. The API response often includes metadata like current_page, total_pages, or next_page.

Example API response structure:

{
  "data": [...],
  "meta": {
    "current_page": 1,
    "total_pages": 5,
    "per_page": 20,
    "next_page": 2
  }
}

Offset-based pagination 

Offset pagination works like a database query. You specify how many records to skip (the offset) and how many to return (the limit). This gives you precise control over which slice of data you retrieve.

Example API request parameters:

• offset=0 (how many records to skip)

• limit=20 (how many records to return)

How to spot it: Look for parameters like offset, skip, or limit in the API documentation. The response might include total_count to help you calculate the remaining pages.

Example API response structure:

{
  "data": [...],
  "total_count": 100,
  "offset": 0,
  "limit": 20
}

Cursor-based pagination 

Cursor pagination uses a unique identifier (a "cursor") to mark your position in the dataset. Instead of page numbers, you receive a token that points to the next set of results. This method is especially useful for datasets that change frequently, as it maintains consistency even when new items are added.

Example API request parameters:

• cursor=abc123xyz (token pointing to the next page)

• limit=20 (how many records to return)

How to spot it: Look for parameters like cursor, next_cursor, continuation_token, or after in the API documentation. The response typically includes a next or next_cursor value.

Example API response structure:

{
  "data": [...],
  "next_cursor": "def456uvw",
  "has_more": true
}

How to spot if an API uses pagination 

When you're working with a new API, here are some quick tips to identify if it uses pagination:

1. Check your tool's API documentation: Every API is different and may approach pagination in different ways. Most API documentation explicitly describes pagination. Look for sections titled "Pagination," "Paging," or "Retrieving large datasets." Most API docs will explain which pagination method is used and what parameters to include.

2. Examine the API response structure: Make an initial request and look at the response. Pagination indicators often appear in a meta, pagination, or links object. Common fields include:

   • next, next_page, or next_cursor

   • next, next_page, or next_cursor

   • total_pages, total_count, or total_results

   • has_more, has_next, or is_last_page

3. Look for limited results: If you request data and receive exactly 10, 20, 50, or 100 items (common page sizes), but you know there should be more, the API is likely paginating the results.