---
description: n8n's public REST API
contentType: overview
---

# n8n public REST API

Using n8n's public API, you can programmatically perform many of the same tasks as you can in the GUI. This section introduces n8n's REST API, including:

* How to [authenticate](/api/authentication/)
* [Paginating](/api/pagination/) results
* Using the [built-in API playground](/api/using-api-playground/) (self-hosted n8n only)
* [Endpoint reference](/api/api-reference/)

n8n provides an [n8n API node](/integrations/builtin/core-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.n8n/) to access the API in your workflows.

## Learn about REST APIs

The API documentation assumes you are familiar with REST APIs. If you're not, these resources may be helpful:

* [KnowledgeOwl's guide to working with APIs](https://support.knowledgeowl.com/help/working-with-apis): a basic introduction, including examples of how to call REST APIs.
* [IBM Cloud Learn Hub - What is an Application Programming Interface (API)](https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/api): this gives a general, but technical, introduction to APIs.
* [IBM Cloud Learn Hub - What is a REST API?](https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/rest-apis): more detailed information about REST APIs.
* [mdn web docs - An overview of HTTP](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Overview): REST APIs work over HTTP, and use HTTP verbs, or methods, to indicate the type of action to perform.

!!! tip "Use the API playground (self-hosted n8n only)"
    Trying out the API in the [playground](/api/using-api-playground/) can help you understand how APIs work. If you're worried about changing live data, consider setting up a test workflow, or test n8n instance, to explore safely.