Frequent 504 Gateway Timeout errors from overpass-api.de

[rene78]

In recent weeks, requests to overpass-api.de frequently result in HTTP 504 (Gateway Timeout) errors. Fetching data often requires multiple retries before succeeding.

This may be related to increased request volume from latest-changes, but I’m not certain whether this site already reaches the daily 10k calls and 1GB download limit.

@mmd-osm, @drolbr - are there any recommended ways to avoid or mitigate these timeouts (e.g. query adjustments)? I have tried some other Overpass API endpoints, but overpass-api.de is the most reliable.

[rene78]

Those frequent 504 errors have reached a point where OSM Latest Changes is practically unusable. For now, I’ve switched to the VK Maps Overpass API instance.

Relevant changeset:
5235c3d

Let’s see how it performs.

For additional context, see the discussion:
Overpass API performance issues on the OSM Community Forum.

[rene78]

The app is trying fallback servers now, if one instance is not working. In this order:

1. '//maps.mail.ru/osm/tools/overpass/api/', // Primary server (VK Maps). The most stable as of 2026-03
   

2. '//overpass-api.de/api/', // Fallback server 1
   

3. '//overpass.private.coffee/api/' // Fallback server 2
   

Relevant changeset:
2cfaf39