Unsplash API

by unsplash.com

Image and photo Added on October 31st, 2026 Checked and working on November 2nd, 2026

What it does

The Unsplash API gives access to millions of free, high-quality photos from the Unsplash community. Search photos by keyword, colour and orientation, get random photos, browse collections and topics, and show photos in several sizes. Responses are JSON. Free; a new app starts in demo mode with 50 requests per hour and can apply for a higher limit. Photos must be shown with credit to the photographer and Unsplash.

API
HTTP-GET
JSON
REST

At a glance

API key: Needed, free · More APIs with a free key
Pricing: Free; a new app starts in demo mode with 50 requests per hour and can apply for a higher limit.
From the browser: Yes (CORS)
Formats: JSON
Interface: REST, HTTP-GET
Provider: unsplash.com
Last checked: Working on November 2nd, 2026

More information: https://unsplash.com/developers

Compare: Unsplash API vs Pexels API

Is this your service? Show that it is listed

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HTML

<a href="https://free-web-services.com/web-services/media/images/unsplash-api.html"><img src="https://free-web-services.com/badge.svg" width="208" height="44" alt="Listed on Free Web Services" /></a>

Markdown

[![Listed on Free Web Services](https://free-web-services.com/badge.svg)](https://free-web-services.com/web-services/media/images/unsplash-api.html)

Example request

curl

curl 'https://api.unsplash.com/search/photos?query=london' \
  -H 'Authorization: Client-ID YOUR_API_KEY'

JavaScript

const response = await fetch("https://api.unsplash.com/search/photos?query=london", {
  headers: {
    "Authorization": "Client-ID YOUR_API_KEY",
  },
});
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

Python

import requests

response = requests.get(
    "https://api.unsplash.com/search/photos?query=london",
    headers={
        "Authorization": "Client-ID YOUR_API_KEY",
    },
    timeout=30,
)
print(response.json())

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your own key. The JavaScript works in a web page as well as in Node.js 18 or newer.