4chan

About 4chan

This is documentation for 4chan's read-only JSON API, first launched in September 2012. Data is served exclusively from a.4cdn.org over HTTP or HTTPS, providing JSON representations of posts, threads, boards, and catalogs from 4chan.org and 4channel.org. CORS is supported from boards.4chan.org and boards.4channel.org, and the API accepts GET, OPTIONS, and HEAD requests.

The documentation covers endpoints and site domains, media and static content paths (spoiler images, country flags, capcodes, user-submitted media), the native archive, board lists, the native catalog, board index pages, individual threads, and thread lists. Usage rules limit requests to one per second, require thread updates to be spaced at least 10 seconds apart, and recommend use of If-Modified-Since headers.

The terms of service prohibit using the 4chan name, logo, or brand to promote a dependent application, require disclosure that data originates from 4chan with a link back, forbid marketing an application as "official," and prohibit cloning 4chan's existing features or functionality. This resource is intended for developers building applications that consume 4chan's post and thread data.

Key features

• Read-only JSON API for 4chan and 4channel boards
• Endpoints for boards, catalog, threads, thread lists, and index pages
• Native archive JSON (archive.json)
• CORS support from boards.4chan.org and boards.4channel.org
• Media and static content access including flags, capcodes, and user-submitted images

Frequently asked questions