URL Shortener API for Developers
The URLcut API lets developers create, manage and analyse short URLs programmatically through a clean REST interface. It is live on every plan including Free. URLcut.ai's full feature set ships today on the web app.
Simple, RESTful API
Create short links with a single API call. Compare shorteners.
{
"url": "https://example.com/long/path",
"slug": "my-link", // optional
"ai_suggest": true // optional
}{
"short_url": "https://urlcut.ai/my-link",
"slug": "my-link",
"original_url": "https://example.com/long/path",
"created_at": "2026-01-11T10:30:00Z"
}What You Can Build
Common API integration scenarios
Email Platforms
Automatically shorten links in email campaigns. Integrate with Mailchimp, SendGrid, or custom platforms.
Chatbots
Shorten URLs on the fly in chatbot responses. Clean links in Slack, Discord, or customer support bots.
Mobile Apps
Generate shareable short links from within your app. Perfect for referral programs and content sharing.
Automation Tools
Connect with Zapier, Make, or n8n. Shorten links as part of automated workflows.
CMS Integration
Auto-shorten links in WordPress, Ghost, or custom CMS. Generate short links on content publish.
Analytics Dashboards
Pull click data into your own dashboards. Build custom reporting on link performance.
API Features
What to expect from the URLcut.ai API
Create Links
POST /api/v1/links, Create short links with custom or AI-generated slugs.
Update Links
PUT /api/v1/links/:id, Update destination URLs without changing the short link.
Get Analytics
GET /api/v1/links/:id/analytics, Retrieve click counts, locations, and devices.
AI Suggestions
Include ai_suggest: true to get AI-powered slug recommendations.
QR Code Generation
GET /api/links/:id/qr-code returns a QR image. POST /api/links/:id/qr-code supports Pro color, logo, size, and format options.
Bulk Operations
POST /api/v1/links/bulk, Create multiple short links in one request.
What You Can Do Today
While the full API is coming, here's what's available now
-
Use our web interface
Create short links manually through the dashboard. Fast and simple.
-
AI slug generation
Generate AI-powered slugs today with the free slug generator, or as you create a link in the dashboard. Programmatic access arrives with the API.
-
Create an API key
Be among the first to test the full URL shortener API when it launches.
API Pricing
The API is live on every plan. Free includes 100 requests a month at 10 a minute, enough to confirm an integration works.
Pro Plan
$25
$12/month
Early adopter pricing
- Full URL shortener API access (when shipped)
- Unlimited links and AI suggestions
- Full analytics
API FAQ
Common questions about the URLcut.ai API
Is the API available?
Yes. The REST API is live at https://urlcut.ai/api/v1. Create an API key under Account, then API keys, and send it as a bearer token. You can create, read, update, delete and list links, and read per-link analytics.
Is the API on the free plan?
Yes. Free includes 100 API requests a month at 10 a minute, which is sized to confirm an integration works rather than to run one. Basic includes 20,000 a month at 120 a minute, Pro 100,000 at 600 a minute, and Agency 500,000 at 1,200 a minute.
What authentication does the API use?
API keys, sent as a bearer token in the Authorization header. You create and revoke them under Account, then API keys. A key is shown once at creation and cannot be recovered afterwards, because we store only a hash of it. Creating a key asks you to confirm your password; revoking one does not, since a key you suspect is leaked should be easy to remove.
Are there rate limits?
Two limits. A per-key rate limit per minute, so one busy integration cannot starve your others, and a monthly request quota shared across every key on your account, so creating a second key does not give you a second allowance. Every response carries X-Quota-Limit and X-Quota-Remaining headers, and a refusal returns 429 with Retry-After.
Can I use the API with AI slug suggestions?
Not currently. AI slug generation runs in the dashboard and in the free slug generator at https://urlcut.ai/shortener/slug-generator. The API generates a slug for you when you do not supply one, but it does not call the AI, because AI suggestions draw on a separate monthly allowance that an automated caller cannot see it is spending.
Does the API support webhooks?
Not yet. Webhooks for events such as link clicks, expiry and usage thresholds are on the roadmap and are not available on any plan today. The API is request-driven: you call it and it answers.
Related Resources
Explore more URLcut.ai features
Documentation
Complete API documentation and guides.
Slug API Docs
API for AI-powered slug suggestions.
For Agencies
API integration for agency workflows.
Email Marketing
Automate email campaign links.
All Features
Explore everything URLcut.ai can do.
Alternatives
Compare URL shortener APIs.
What is a URL Slug?
Understand slugs for API integration.
QR Codes
Generate PNG QR codes on any plan, with Pro SVG/JPEG, colors, logos, and high-resolution options.
Pricing
API access is included on every plan, including Free.
Password-Protected Links
Add password protection to API-generated short links.
Ready to Integrate URL Shortening?
The API is live.
Create a key and make your first call in minutes.