# Payload Limits

To ensure optimal performance and reliability of the **CSA Prediction Engine API**, payload limits are enforced on all HTTP <mark style="color:red;">POST</mark> requests. This helps prevent excessive memory usage and ensures that the API can handle requests consistently for all users.

### Maximum Payload Size

The payload size for any HTTP POST request to the CSA Prediction Engine API must not exceed **10 MB**. Requests exceeding this limit will be rejected with a 413 Payload Too Large error response.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you are using the [**CSA Python API Client**](/python-api-package/introduction.md), our package automatically handles large input objects by uploading them through an alternative channel before executing the `HTTP POST` request for your prediction task.

Limitations described below are specific to users accessing the API via `curl` or other direct integration methods.
{% endhint %}

### Recommendations for Managing Payload Size

To avoid exceeding the payload limit:

#### Optimize Data:&#x20;

Consider optimizing the data sent in the request. Exclude any redundant or non-essential information.

#### Check Data Encoding&#x20;

Ensure that all data in the request payload is appropriately encoded and formatted to prevent unnecessary size increases due to encoding inefficiencies. Since the API uses [single precision](/getting-started/single-precision-and-performance.md), you could choose to encode your json payload accordingly, remove indents and use lean separators without spaces.

{% code title="Example in Python:" fullWidth="false" %}

```python
payload = json.dumps(variables, indent=None, separators=(',', ':'), cls=Float32Encoder)
```

{% endcode %}

### Handling Payload Errors

If you receive a 413 Payload Too Large error:

* Review Payload: Confirm the size of your payload before retrying the request. If necessary, trim the data.
* Monitor API Usage: Consistently monitor and manage the data sent to ensure it aligns with the payload limits.


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