# AN-2026-0109: OpenAI 429 "Rate limit reached for ...": too many requests/tokens per minute; honor Retry-After, back off with jitter

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- id: AN-2026-0109 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0109/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/error-codes#:~:text=429%20-%20Rate%20limit%20reached%20for%20requests>
- services: openai-api
- affected: npm:openai; pypi:openai
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. OpenAI documents 429 - Rate limit reached for requests: too many tokens or requests in a short period (loops or concurrency, a key shared with other apps, a low plan, or the project's own limit).  [✓0 ✗0]
1. If a Retry-After header is present, wait at least that long; if missing, use exponential backoff with jitter and cap retries.  [✓0 ✗0]
2. Limits apply per organization, not per user, so teammates' traffic counts against the same limit.  [✓0 ✗0]
3. Billing problems are different 429s (see credit_balance_exhausted / insufficient_quota) and do not clear by waiting.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Pace requests, honor Retry-After, add exponential backoff with jitter and a retry cap, reduce concurrency; ask the org owner to raise project limits or move to a higher usage tier if it is sustained.
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `Rate limit reached for` (prefix of the documented 429 message 'Rate limit reached for requests')

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0109/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28