Do Zapier credits expire?

If you buy pay-per-task credits for Zapier, it is important to understand exactly when those credits expire and how they are used. This guide explains how Zapier credit expiration works so you can plan your automations and avoid losing unused credits.

How Zapier credits work

Credits let you run extra automated tasks on top of what is already included in your existing plan. When you reach the task limit on your plan, Zapier pulls from your purchased credits instead of immediately interrupting your workflows.

These credits:

• Are sold in one-time packages.
• Are attached to a specific workspace.
• Are consumed after your regular plan tasks are used.

Understanding how these credits behave over time helps you decide how many to buy and when to use them.

Zapier credit expiration rules

All credit packages have a fixed lifetime. Once that period ends, any unused credits in that package expire and cannot be used for future automation runs.

Standard expiration period for Zapier credits

Each package of pay-per-task credits is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. After the 12-month period ends, any remaining credits from that specific purchase expire automatically.

Key points:

• The 12-month period starts on the purchase date.
• Credits from different purchases have different expiration dates.
• Expired credits are removed and cannot be restored or refunded.

Plan your usage so that your workflows consume credits before the end of each 12-month window.

Checking your Zapier credit status

You can monitor your remaining credits and see when they will expire inside your account billing area. This helps ensure your team uses credits in time.

1. Sign in to your account.
2. Open the workspace that owns the credits.
3. Go to the billing or plan details page.
4. Review the remaining credits and the associated expiration dates.

If you have multiple credit purchases, you may see several batches with different expiry timelines.

How Zapier uses credits with your plan

Zapier credits are not separate from your plan; they work together with your existing task allowance. Credits are only used after you reach the limit included in your subscription.

Order of task consumption in Zapier

For each billing cycle:

1. You first use the tasks that are part of your base plan.
2. When you hit that limit, your account starts using credits.
3. Tasks continue running until credits run out or the credit package expires.

This behavior ensures your regular plan allocation is always used before any paid credits.

What happens when Zapier credits run out

Once all available credits are consumed, any additional tasks above your plan limit cannot run. Depending on your settings, your Zaps may be paused or start to error once the account exceeds its total allowance.

To avoid interruptions, you can:

• Purchase a new credit package.
• Upgrade your plan to a higher task limit.
• Reduce task usage by optimizing or pausing certain Zaps.

Best practices for managing Zapier credits

Because each package expires 12 months after purchase, you should manage your automations proactively. This ensures your team gets full value from every credit.

Right-size your Zapier credit purchases

When deciding how many credits to buy, review your recent task history and growth expectations. Consider:

• Average monthly task usage above your plan limit.
• Seasonal peaks in automation activity.
• Upcoming projects or new Zaps that may increase usage.

Buying only what you expect to use within 12 months helps avoid unused credits at expiration.

Monitor Zapier usage regularly

Set a recurring reminder to check your usage and credit balance. A simple monthly review can help you:

• Spot approaching expiration dates.
• Adjust Zaps that consume too many tasks.
• Decide when to upgrade your core plan instead of buying more credits.

For teams managing multiple workspaces, consider keeping a shared document that tracks credit purchases and expiration dates so everyone stays aligned.

Frequently asked questions about Zapier credit expiration

Can I extend the lifetime of Zapier credits?

No. The 12-month lifetime is fixed. Once a specific package of credits reaches its expiration date, unused credits in that package can no longer be used.

Do new Zapier purchases reset older expirations?

No. Each credit purchase has its own expiration date. Buying a new package does not extend the expiration date of any earlier packages. Instead, your account holds multiple batches, each expiring 12 months after purchase.

What happens to active Zaps when credits expire?

When a credit package expires and you do not have any other available credits or remaining plan tasks, additional runs above your plan limit cannot complete. You may need to purchase more credits or upgrade your plan to keep all automations running without interruption.

Where to get official Zapier credit details

For the most accurate and current information, always refer to the official documentation. Policies can change, so it is good practice to review the latest help article before making large purchases.

• Official help center article on credits: Do Zapier credits expire?

You can also explore expert automation resources, strategic setup guides, and broader no-code workflow best practices from specialists who work with many platforms, not just Zapier. One example is the consulting content at Consultevo, which can help you plan automation usage and capacity more effectively.

Summary: how Zapier credit expiration affects you

To use your Zapier credits efficiently, remember these key points:

• Each credit package expires 12 months after the purchase date.
• Credits are used only after your plan tasks are exhausted.
• Unused credits cannot be restored once they expire.
• Monitoring usage and expiry dates helps prevent wasted credits.

By tracking your credit balance, planning realistic purchases, and reviewing your automations regularly, you can keep your Zapier workflows running smoothly while making full use of every purchased task.