Source: https://docs.claude.com/en/api/files-create

Agent Skills are now available! Learn more about extending Claude's capabilities with Agent Skills .

Claude Docs home page

English

Search...

Ctrl K

Search...

Navigation

Files

Create a File

Home Developer Guide API Reference Model Context Protocol (MCP) Resources Release Notes

cURL

cURL

Copy

curl -X POST "https://api.anthropic.com/v1/files" \
     -H "x-api-key: $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
     -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
     -H "anthropic-beta: files-api-2025-04-14" \
     -F "file=@/path/to/document.pdf"

200

4XX

Copy

{
  "created_at": "2023-11-07T05:31:56Z",
  "downloadable": false,
  "filename": "<string>",
  "id": "<string>",
  "mime_type": "<string>",
  "size_bytes": 1,
  "type": "<string>"
}

POST

/

v1

/

files

cURL

cURL

Copy

curl -X POST "https://api.anthropic.com/v1/files" \
     -H "x-api-key: $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
     -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
     -H "anthropic-beta: files-api-2025-04-14" \
     -F "file=@/path/to/document.pdf"

200

4XX

Copy

{
  "created_at": "2023-11-07T05:31:56Z",
  "downloadable": false,
  "filename": "<string>",
  "id": "<string>",
  "mime_type": "<string>",
  "size_bytes": 1,
  "type": "<string>"
}

The Files API allows you to upload and manage files to use with the Claude API without having to re-upload content with each request. For more information about the Files API, see the developer guide for files .

The Files API is currently in beta. To use the Files API, you’ll need to include the beta feature header: anthropic-beta: files-api-2025-04-14.Please reach out through our feedback form to share your experience with the Files API.

Headers

​

anthropic-beta

string[]

Optional header to specify the beta version(s) you want to use.

To use multiple betas, use a comma separated list like beta1,beta2 or specify the header multiple times for each beta.

​

anthropic-version

string

required

The version of the Claude API you want to use.

Read more about versioning and our version history here .

​

x-api-key

string

required

Your unique API key for authentication.

This key is required in the header of all API requests, to authenticate your account and access Anthropic's services. Get your API key through the Console . Each key is scoped to a Workspace.

Body

multipart/form-data

​

file

file

required

The file to upload

Response

200

application/json

Successful Response

​

created_at

string<date-time>

required

RFC 3339 datetime string representing when the file was created.

​

filename

string

required

Original filename of the uploaded file.

Required string length: 1 - 500

​

id

string

required

Unique object identifier.

The format and length of IDs may change over time.

​

mime_type

string

required

MIME type of the file.

Required string length: 1 - 255

​

size_bytes

integer

required

Size of the file in bytes.

Required range: x >= 0

​

type

string

required

Object type.

For files, this is always "file".

Allowed value: "file"

​

downloadable

boolean

default:false

Whether the file can be downloaded.

Was this page helpful?

YesNo

Delete a Message Batch List Files

Assistant

Responses are generated using AI and may contain mistakes.