name: WorldCat API Plans and Pricing
description: >-
  OCLC WorldCat APIs are available to OCLC member libraries through subscription
  plans. Access is tied to existing OCLC service subscriptions rather than
  standalone API pricing tiers. Commercial partnerships are available for
  non-library organizations.
url: https://www.oclc.org/en/membership/fees.html
created: "2026-06-13"
modified: "2026-06-13"

plans:
  - name: WorldCat Cataloging and Metadata Subscription
    description: >-
      Required subscription for libraries accessing the WorldCat Search API v2
      and WorldCat Metadata API. Libraries with a full cataloging subscription
      gain access to search, retrieve, and maintain bibliographic and holdings
      data in WorldCat. Both a Cataloging and Metadata subscription and a
      FirstSearch/WorldCat Discovery subscription are required for full
      Search API access.
    url: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api/oclc-apis/worldcat-search-api.en.html
    type: Subscription
    audience: OCLC member libraries
    features:
      - WorldCat Search API v2 access
      - WorldCat Metadata API access
      - Sandbox testing environment
      - WSKey/OAuth 2.0 credentials
      - Up to 50,000 API requests per day (rolling 24-hour window)

  - name: WorldCat Knowledge Base Subscription
    description: >-
      Required subscription for libraries using OCLC WorldCat Knowledge Base
      services. Provides access to the Knowledge Base API for managing and
      accessing e-resource subscription data, OpenURL linking, and browsing
      library subscription resources.
    url: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api/oclc-apis/worldcat-knowledge-base-api.en.html
    type: Subscription
    audience: OCLC member libraries using WorldCat Knowledge Base
    features:
      - WorldCat Knowledge Base API access
      - OpenURL request support
      - REST browsing and search requests
      - Up to 50,000 requests per day

  - name: WorldCat Meridian Subscription (Entities)
    description: >-
      Required subscription for libraries accessing WorldCat Entities APIs.
      Available to OCLC Meridian subscribers, enabling creation, management,
      and analysis of linked data through Entity Management, Entity Search,
      Entity Query, and related tools.
    url: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api/oclc-apis/worldcat-entities-data.en.html
    type: Subscription
    audience: OCLC Meridian subscriber libraries
    features:
      - WorldCat Entities Data API access
      - Entity Management API access
      - Entity Query API access
      - Linked data integration
      - PID Lookup support

  - name: Commercial Partnership
    description: >-
      OCLC offers commercial partnerships for non-library organizations that
      wish to integrate WorldCat data and APIs into commercial products and
      services. Pricing and terms are negotiated individually based on use case
      and volume requirements.
    url: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api.en.html
    type: Commercial
    audience: Commercial organizations and technology vendors
    features:
      - Custom API access agreements
      - Volume-based pricing
      - Technical support
      - Integration guidance

notes: >-
  OCLC does not publish public standalone API pricing. Access to WorldCat APIs
  is bundled with library membership fees and specific service subscriptions.
  Libraries interested in API access should contact OCLC directly to determine
  which subscription tier is required for their intended use case.
contact:
  url: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api.en.html
  email: devnet@oclc.org