---
title: "insufficient_credits error"
url: "https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors/insufficient_credits.md"
canonical_url: "https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors/insufficient_credits"
last_updated: "2026-10-22"
type: "reference"
summary: "HTTP 402 insufficient_credits: The account does not have enough credits for this lookup. Cause, fix and a curl example."
related: ["https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors.md", "https://lookvalid.com/docs/credits-and-billing.md"]
---

# insufficient_credits error

HTTP 402 insufficient_credits: The account does not have enough credits for this lookup. Cause, fix and a curl example.

`insufficient_credits` is returned with HTTP **402**. Retryable: no. Sending the same request again returns the same error. Nothing is charged for this error.

## What it means

The account does not have enough credits for this lookup.

## Most likely cause

The account balance is lower than the price of this lookup, often because the monthly credits are used up or a plan has lapsed.

## How to fix it

Add credits to the account, then retry. Nothing was charged for this request.

## Example

Read the balance first. A lookup that costs more than `available` is refused with HTTP 402 before any data source is called.

```sh
curl -s https://YOUR_API_HOST/v1/account -H "Authorization: Bearer $LOOKVALID_API_KEY"
```

An error response is one JSON envelope. Branch on `code`, never on the message text. The `message` and `fix` of a real response can be more specific than the defaults shown here.

```json
{
  "error": {
    "code": "insufficient_credits",
    "message": "The account does not have enough credits for this lookup.",
    "fix": "Add credits to the account, then retry. Nothing was charged for this request.",
    "docs_url": "https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors/insufficient_credits",
    "retryable": false,
    "request_id": "req_3fK9pQ2xVb7LmN4sTz8WcA"
  }
}
```

## See also

- [All error codes](https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors.md) with the response envelope.
- [Credits and billing](https://lookvalid.com/docs/credits-and-billing.md).
- Quote the `request_id` when you write to [hello@lookvalid.com](mailto:hello@lookvalid.com).

## Related

- [Errors](https://lookvalid.com/docs/errors.md)
- [Credits and billing](https://lookvalid.com/docs/credits-and-billing.md)