> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.domshot.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Credits Work

> Understanding DomShot credits and billing

## How Credits Work

Each plan includes a monthly or yearly allowance of screenshot credits. Understanding how credits are consumed helps you optimize your usage.

## What consumes credits

| Action                | Credits  |
| --------------------- | -------- |
| Successful screenshot | 1 credit |
| Failed screenshot     | Free     |
| Cached screenshot     | Free     |

Only successful screenshots consume credits. If a screenshot fails due to timeout, invalid URL, or server error, you are not charged.

## Cached requests

Screenshots are cached for **4 hours**. When you make identical requests within this window:

* **Cache hit**: Free, no credits consumed
* **Cache miss**: 1 credit consumed (successful capture)

Use the `fresh=true` parameter to bypass cache and force a new screenshot.

## When credits reset

Credits are added at the beginning of each billing cycle:

* **Monthly plans**: Credits added on the same day each month
* **Yearly plans**: Credits added annually on your signup date

Unused credits do not roll over to the next period.

## Overage charges

If you exceed your credit allowance, you can continue using the service with overage charges:

| Plan    | Overage rate       |
| ------- | ------------------ |
| Starter | \$0.004 per credit |
| Growth  | \$0.002 per credit |
| Scale   | \$0.001 per credit |

You can set usage limits in your dashboard to prevent unexpected charges.

## Monitoring your usage

Check your credit balance and usage in the dashboard. The API also includes rate limit headers in every response:

| Header                  | Description                          |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| `X-RateLimit-Limit`     | Requests per minute for your plan    |
| `X-RateLimit-Remaining` | Requests remaining in current window |
| `X-RateLimit-Reset`     | ISO timestamp when window resets     |

## Tips to minimize credit usage

* **Use cache**: Make identical requests to benefit from 4-hour cache
* **Optimize parameters**: Only capture what you need (viewport, format)
* **Batch requests**: Group similar requests to maximize cache hits
* **Set limits**: Configure usage alerts in your dashboard

<Card title="View your usage" icon="chart" href="https://domshot.dev/dashboard">
  Check your credit balance and usage statistics in the dashboard.
</Card>

## See also

* [Pricing](/guides/pricing) - Plan comparison and allowances
* [Caching](/guides/core/caching) - How caching works
* [Rate Limits](/guides/core/rate-limits) - Request rate limits