# Mailboxlayer

> Mailboxlayer is a real-time email verification and validation REST API, used to keep fake sign-ups and low-quality addresses out of a system, cut bounce rates, and raise campaign open rates. A single HTTP GET runs an address through a layered set of checks and returns the result as lightweight JSON: syntax and format validation, a typo correction suggestion (did_you_mean) for common domain misspellings, an MX-record lookup confirming the domain can receive mail, a real-time SMTP check that pings the mail server to test whether the mailbox actually exists, catch-all detection for domains that accept anything, role detection for function addresses such as info@ or support@, and lookups against daily updated databases of free providers (Gmail, Yahoo) and disposable providers (mailinator.com, trashmail.com). Each response also carries a numeric quality score between 0 and 1 summarising overall deliverability, so a single field can drive an accept/reject decision. Requests are secured over 256-bit HTTPS, with an uptime of around 99.9%. Mailboxlayer is part of the APILayer suite (one account, one API key, one dashboard across the APILayer product family).
A free API key is available at https://mailboxlayer.com/signup/free/monthly — the Free Plan is a no-time-limit trial with 100 monthly API requests covering syntax and typo checks, the free and disposable provider databases, the quality score, real-time SMTP, MX-record checks, and HTTPS, restricted to non-commercial use and without support; paid plans add commercial-use rights, standard support, catch-all detection, and a bulk endpoint. Paid tiers are Basic ($14.99/month, 5,000 requests, adds catch-all detection), Professional Plus ($74.99/month, 50,000 requests, adds a bulk endpoint handling 25 emails per call), and Enterprise Plus ($249.99/month, 250,000 requests, bulk endpoint handling 100 emails per call), with a custom plan for higher volumes and up to 15% off on annual billing. To call the API, append your access_key as a query parameter. The base URL is apilayer.net/api. A single verification is one HTTP GET request: apilayer.net/api/check?access_key=YOUR_KEY&email=name@example.com. The main endpoint is Check (GET /check), which takes the email parameter plus optional ones: smtp (set to 0 to skip the SMTP check for a faster response), catch_all (set to 0 to skip catch-all detection), and format (set to 1 for prettified JSON while debugging). The response object contains email, did_you_mean, user, domain, format_valid, mx_found, smtp_check, catch_all, role, disposable, free, and score. Accessing any API data with a valid access key counts as one API Request; usage notifications are sent at 75%, 90%, and 100% of the monthly allowance, after which overage fees apply. Code examples and integration guides are provided for multiple languages.
## Getting Started
- [Mailboxlayer Homepage](https://mailboxlayer.com/): Free, real-time email verification and validation API
- [API Documentation](https://docs.apilayer.com/mailboxlayer/docs/api-documentation): Full reference — the check endpoint, parameters, response objects, errors, and code examples
- [Free API Key Signup](https://mailboxlayer.com/signup/free/monthly): Create a free account with 100 monthly requests
- [Login](https://mailboxlayer.com/login): Access your dashboard, API key, and usage statistics
- [Pricing](https://mailboxlayer.com/pricing): Free and premium plan tiers with request volumes, validation features, and bulk limits
## Tools
- [API Status](https://mailboxlayer.com/api-status): Updates on API performance and uptime
- [Overage Billing Documentation](https://mailboxlayer.com/billing-overages-documentation): How per-request charges apply once a plan's monthly quota is reached
## Resources
- [FAQs](https://mailboxlayer.com/faq): Common questions on SMTP accuracy, free and disposable providers, request counting, plans, and payment
- [APILayer Blog](https://blog.apilayer.com/): Tutorials, use cases, and product updates
## Support
- [Contact Us](https://mailboxlayer.com/contact): Sales and technical support, including custom and high-volume plan inquiries