URL Shortener API docs
Shorten URLs with click tracking, custom aliases, and expiration. Includes bulk shortening and QR code generation.
Authentication
All URL Shortener API requests authenticate via two headers. Get your API key from your RapidAPI dashboard after subscribing on the Basic (free) tier or higher.
X-RapidAPI-Key: YOUR_API_KEY X-RapidAPI-Host: url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com
Base URL
https://url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com
Endpoints
POST
/shortenCreate short URL
GET
/resolve/{code}Resolve short URL to original
GET
/stats/{code}Get click stats
POST
/bulkShorten up to 10 URLs
Code Examples
Python
import requests
url = "https://url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com/shorten"
headers = {
"X-RapidAPI-Key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
"X-RapidAPI-Host": "url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com",
}
response = requests.post(url, headers=headers)
print(response.json())JavaScript
const response = await fetch(
"https://url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com/shorten",
{
method: "POST",
headers: {
"X-RapidAPI-Key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
"X-RapidAPI-Host": "url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com"
}
}
);
const data = await response.json();cURL
curl -X POST "https://url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com/shorten" \ -H "X-RapidAPI-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \ -H "X-RapidAPI-Host: url-shortener-by-helix-api.p.rapidapi.com"
Response Format
All endpoints return JSON in this consistent envelope:
{
"status": "ok",
"data": { /* endpoint-specific payload */ },
"meta": {
"cached": false,
"latency_ms": 142,
"request_id": "req_abc123"
},
"timestamp": "2026-05-21T12:00:00Z"
}Error Codes
| HTTP | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | BAD_REQUEST | Missing or invalid parameter |
| 401 | UNAUTHORIZED | Invalid or missing API key |
| 403 | FORBIDDEN | Your plan doesn't include this endpoint |
| 429 | RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED | Too many requests — back off and retry |
| 500 | INTERNAL_ERROR | Something went wrong on our side |
| 503 | UPSTREAM_UNAVAILABLE | A third-party data source is down |
Common Use Cases
Marketing campaigns
Link tracking
SMS links
Social media
Affiliate links
Email newsletter links
Podcast show notes links
QR code short URLs
Mobile app deep links
Event invitation links
Customer survey links
Product launch links
Referral program links
Print ad tracking URLs
Influencer campaign links
App store redirect links
Support ticket links
Webinar registration links
Job posting short links
Invoice payment links