shorter.sh Documentation
Everything you need to know about using shorter.sh to shorten URLs, track clicks, and manage your links.
What is shorter.sh?
shorter.sh is a fast, free URL shortener built on Cloudflare's global edge network. Turn any long URL into a short, memorable link in seconds — no account required.
Links redirect from Cloudflare's edge, so your visitors get to the destination as quickly as possible.
Every shortened URL tracks clicks automatically. View analytics from the dashboard or programmatically via the API.
Shorten URLs and retrieve click stats programmatically with a simple REST API and API keys.
Every URL is checked against blocklists and pattern detection to prevent abuse and keep users safe.
Quick Start
Getting a short link takes just a few seconds:
Paste your URL into the input field on the home page.
Complete the verification — a quick Turnstile challenge confirms you're human.
Click "Shorten" and your short link is ready. Copy it with one click.
Web Interface
The home page provides the simplest way to shorten a URL. Paste any valid URL into the input field, complete the Turnstile verification, and click Shorten.
Once shortened, you'll see your new short link (e.g. shorter.sh/aBc123) with a
copy button.
Supported URLs
URLs must start with http:// or https://. The URL is validated for
correct format and checked against safety filters before a short link is generated.
Anonymous Usage Limits
Without an account, you can shorten up to 5 URLs per minute, 20 per hour, and 30 per day from the web interface. Need higher limits? Create an account and use API keys.
URL History
When you shorten a URL from the home page, it's saved to your browser's local storage so you can find it again later. This history is stored entirely on your device — it's not synced to any server.
To manage links across devices and get more features, sign in to the dashboard where your URLs are stored server-side and accessible from anywhere.
Sign In
shorter.sh supports signing in with Google or GitHub via OAuth. Visit the login page to connect your account.
Signing in gives you access to the dashboard, where you can view all your shortened URLs, manage API keys, and track click analytics — all in one place.
No password to remember. Your account is linked to your Google or GitHub identity.
Managing URLs
The dashboard shows all URLs you've created while signed in or via your API keys. For each link you can see:
- The short code and full original URL
- Total click count
- When the link was created
You can delete any of your links from the dashboard. Deleted links will return a 410 Gone response when visited.
Click Analytics
Every shortened URL tracks how many times it has been clicked. You can view click counts in two ways:
From the dashboard: Click counts are shown alongside each URL if you're signed in.
Via the API: Use GET /api/v1/analytics/:shortCode
for detailed per-URL analytics, or GET /api/v1/analytics/overview
for aggregate stats across all your URLs —
see the API Reference for details.
API Keys
API keys let you use the shorter.sh API to create links and check stats programmatically. Create and manage keys from the dashboard.
Keys use the format sk_ followed by 64 hex characters (67 characters total).
The full key is shown only once when created — copy it immediately and store it securely.
API keys are hashed before storage. If you lose your key, you'll need to delete it and create a new one.
You can have up to 5 API keys per account. Use the Authorization: Bearer sk_...
header to authenticate API requests.
Getting Started with the API
The shorter.sh API lets you shorten URLs and retrieve click stats over HTTP. Authenticate with an API key and you're ready to go.
Key endpoints
The versioned API at /api/v1/ is recommended for programmatic use. All v1 endpoints require API key authentication.
POST /api/v1/shorten— Create a short URLGET /api/v1/urls— List your shortened URLsDELETE /api/v1/urls/:shortCode— Delete a shortened URLGET /api/v1/analytics/overview— Aggregate analytics for all your URLsGET /api/v1/analytics/:shortCode— Detailed analytics for a specific URL
The API returns JSON responses with consistent error formats, supports rate limiting per key, and works with any HTTP client.
Ready to integrate? Check out the API Reference for full endpoint documentation, authentication details, code examples, and error codes.
Link Safety
Every URL submitted to shorter.sh is validated before a short link is created. This includes:
- Format validation — Must be a valid HTTP or HTTPS URL
- Domain blocklist — Known malicious domains are blocked
- Pattern detection — Heuristic checks for phishing and scam patterns
- Abuse reports — Community-reported links can be reviewed and disabled
If a URL is flagged as unsafe, the API returns a URL_UNSAFE error and no short link is created.
Rate Limits
Rate limits protect the service and ensure fair usage. Limits differ depending on how you're accessing shorter.sh:
Web interface (anonymous)
- 5 URLs per minute
- 20 URLs per hour
- 30 URLs per day
API (with API key)
- 30 requests per minute
- 500 requests per day
Need higher limits? Contact support to request an increase.
When rate limited, the API returns a 429 status with a RATE_LIMITED error code.
See the API Reference for the full rate limit table.
Report Abuse
If you encounter a shorter.sh link that points to malicious, harmful, or inappropriate content, please report it using the abuse report form.
Reports are reviewed and, if confirmed, the link is banned. Banned links return a 403 Forbidden page explaining that the URL has been blocked.
Privacy & Terms
Read our Privacy Policy to understand how shorter.sh handles your data, and our Terms of Service for the rules of using the platform.