NEAR Data API
NEAR Data API is the near-realtime and block-family surface. Use it when you want fresh block slices, redirect helpers, or recent finalized and optimistic block reads without presenting it as a streaming product.
Base URLs
NEAR Data API Mainnet
https://mainnet.neardata.xyzNEAR Data API Testnet
https://testnet.neardata.xyzBest fit
- Polling for recent finalized or optimistic blocks.
- Block-family helpers and redirect flows.
- Lightweight freshness checks and monitoring paths.
When not to use it
- Use RPC Reference for canonical JSON-RPC methods and transaction submission.
- Use Snapshots for infrastructure bootstrap rather than live reads.
Auth and availability
- The same FastNear API key works here too; public reads can still use an optional
apiKeyquery parameter on supported traffic. - An invalid API key returns
401before the redirect helpers run, so invalid-key debugging will not surface the canonical target URL. - Add
?network=testnetto switch compatible pages to testnet defaults.
Common starting points
- Optimistic block for freshest block polling.
- Final block by height and Block headers for finalized block-family queries.
- Last final block redirect and Last optimistic block redirect when you want helper redirects.
Need a workflow?
Use NEAR Data API Examples for plain-language flows like optimistic polling, finalized confirmation, redirect helpers, and escalation into canonical RPC inspection.
Troubleshooting
Some endpoints redirect instead of returning the final payload directly
That is expected on redirect-style helpers. Follow the canonical target if your client needs the final resource.
A block response is null
That usually means the requested height does not exist on that network or the request is outside the expected freshness/archive range.
I need streaming, not polling
This surface is for polling-oriented near-realtime reads. Do not position it as a websocket or webhook product.