What is an API endpoint?

An API endpoint is a specific URL where an API accepts requests and returns responses. It consists of the base URL plus a resource path: https://api.example.com/v1/users. Each endpoint represents a resource and, combined with an HTTP method, defines a specific operation. A well-designed API has a predictable set of endpoints following REST conventions — typically GET /resources (list), POST /resources (create), GET /resources/{id} (read), PUT /resources/{id} (update), and DELETE /resources/{id} (delete). Endpoints should be versioned (/v1/), documented, and stable — changes to existing endpoints require careful backwards-compatibility planning.