GraphQL Query Complexity Calculator

Calculate GraphQL query complexity score. Determine if your query meets complexity limits and optimize for better performance.

Complexity Guide

Default Max Complexity
1,000 points
Standard server limit
Field Cost
1 point each
Base cost per field
Nested Level Cost
5 points each
Depth multiplier
List Field Cost
10 points each
Array/connection penalty

Query Analysis

Calculated
Total Complexity
0
Query cost
Max Allowed
1,000
Server limit
Status
-
Query status
Optimization
-
Recommendation

About GraphQL Query Complexity

GraphQL query complexity analysis is a technique used to protect your GraphQL server from resource exhaustion attacks and expensive queries. By assigning a cost to each field and tracking the total complexity, servers can reject queries that would be too expensive to execute.

How Complexity is Calculated

Complexity = Fields + (Nested Levels x 5) + (List Fields x 10)
Fields = Base field count
Nested Levels = Query depth
List Fields = Array/connection fields

Why Complexity Matters

  • Performance Protection: Prevents deeply nested or expensive queries from overloading your server
  • Resource Management: Ensures fair usage across all API consumers
  • Security: Mitigates denial-of-service attacks via complex queries
  • Cost Control: Helps estimate and limit database load

Optimization Tips

If your query exceeds the complexity limit, consider these strategies:

  • Reduce nesting depth by flattening your query structure
  • Use pagination to limit list field results
  • Split large queries into multiple smaller requests
  • Request only the fields you actually need
  • Consider using query batching for related data