# express-rate-limit/express-rate-limit

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3,265 stars · 250 forks · TypeScript · NOASSERTION

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/express-rate-limit/express-rate-limit
- Homepage: https://npmjs.com/package/express-rate-limit
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/express-rate-limit-express-rate-limit.md

## Topics

`api` `express` `express-js` `express-middleware` `nodejs` `rate-limiter` `rate-limiting` `rest-api` `security` `web`

## Description

This project is a middleware for the Express web framework designed to restrict request frequency and protect server capacity. It functions as a traffic throttler that intercepts incoming requests to evaluate and enforce limits based on client identity within defined time windows.

The system distinguishes itself through a pluggable data store pattern that allows for distributed rate limiting. By delegating hit count storage to external databases, it ensures consistent request tracking across multiple server instances and maintains state across process restarts.

The library provides comprehensive traffic management by monitoring client usage and communicating quota status through standard HTTP response headers. This feedback mechanism informs API consumers about their current request capacity and reset times, while the underlying logic prevents service abuse and resource exhaustion.

## Tags

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Middleware Rate Limiters](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/traffic-management/request-rate-limiting/middleware-rate-limiters.md) — Provides middleware for the Express web framework that restricts request frequency to prevent service abuse and protect server capacity.
- [Asynchronous State Synchronizations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/asynchronous-state-synchronizations.md) — Ensures consistent request tracking across multiple server instances by synchronizing state with external storage backends.
- [Rate Limiting](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/request-throttling/rate-limiting.md) — Reports rate limit status to clients by including usage, quota, and reset time information in standard HTTP response headers. ([source](https://express-rate-limit.mintlify.app/reference/configuration))
- [Time-Windowed Limits](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/request-throttling/rate-limiting/dynamic-rate-limiters/time-windowed-limits.md) — Tracks request frequency within defined time intervals to calculate usage and determine whether to allow or reject incoming traffic.

### DevOps & Infrastructure

- [API Throttling](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/api-throttling.md) — Limits the number of requests a client can make to the server to prevent abuse and protect infrastructure capacity.
- [Distributed Rate Limiting](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/rate-limiters/distributed-rate-limiting.md) — Synchronizes request counts across multiple server instances using external data stores to ensure consistent traffic control.
- [Request Rate Limiting](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/request-rate-limiting.md) — Restricts request frequency by capping the number of requests a client can make within a defined time window. ([source](https://github.com/express-rate-limit/express-rate-limit#readme))
- [Quota Status Headers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/request-rate-limiting/quota-status-headers.md) — Communicates current request quota, remaining capacity, and reset times to clients via standard HTTP response headers.

### Web Development

- [Request Interception Middlewares](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/request-interception-middlewares.md) — Intercepts incoming HTTP requests before they reach route handlers to evaluate and enforce traffic constraints based on client identity.
- [Traffic Throttlers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/web-development/traffic-throttlers.md) — Controls request volume in Node.js applications by enforcing limits on client activity within defined time windows.

### Data & Databases

- [Storage Adapters](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/in-memory-session-stores/relational-database-session-stores/user-and-session-hierarchies/session-data-stores/pluggable-session-stores/storage-adapters.md) — Uses an abstract interface to delegate hit count storage to either local memory or external databases for distributed state management.

### Security & Cryptography

- [Service Abuse Protections](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/governance-policy-frameworks/security-infrastructure/service-abuse-protections.md) — Secures applications against automated attacks and resource exhaustion by restricting request frequency from individual users or IP addresses.

### System Administration & Monitoring

- [API Request Quota Monitors](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/system-administration-monitoring/monitoring-and-observability/api-request-quota-monitors.md) — Tracks and reports remaining API request limits to clients to help them manage their traffic volume.