---
title: API Gateway · Cloudflare API Shield docs
description: Cloudflare API Shield empowers you to use Cloudflare as your API
  Gateway, providing robust security features, streamlined management tools, and
  integration with the Cloudflare Developer Platform for building new APIs.​
lastUpdated: 2025-08-20T16:33:17.000Z
chatbotDeprioritize: false
source_url:
  html: https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/api-gateway/
  md: https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/api-gateway/index.md
---

Cloudflare API Shield empowers you to use Cloudflare as your API Gateway, providing robust security features, streamlined management tools, and integration with the Cloudflare Developer Platform for building new APIs.​

APIs are fundamental to modern applications but are increasingly targeted by malicious actors. Cloudflare API Shield offers a comprehensive solution to protect, manage, and build your APIs.

* **Enhanced security**: Implement robust runtime protection such as JWT validation, mutual TLS (mTLS) authentication, Schema validation, and protection against the [OWASP Top 10 API Security risks](https://owasp.org/www-project-api-security/).

* **Efficient management and monitoring**: Utilize tools for endpoint management, analytics, and routing to streamline API operations. Highlight risks with Posture Management, and gain visibility with Security Analytics and Security Center Insights.

* **Integrated development**: Leverage the Cloudflare Developer Platform to build and deploy new APIs with ease, taking advantage of scalable infrastructure and a suite of developer tools.

## Cloudflare as your API Gateway

### API security features

* **Protection Against OWASP Top 10 API Security risks**: Mitigate common API vulnerabilities, including injection attacks and improper asset management.

### Management and Monitoring tools

* **[Endpoint management](https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/management-and-monitoring/endpoint-management/)**: Gain visibility into your API endpoints, including discovery of shadow APIs and monitoring of active endpoints.

* **[Analytics and logging](https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/security/sequence-analytics/)**: Access detailed analytics and logs to monitor API usage, performance, and security events.

* **[API Routing](https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/management-and-monitoring/api-routing/)**: Optimize API performance and reliability with secure routing.

* **[Posture Management](https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/security/authentication-posture/)**: Monitor API Authentication status and receive alerts for common API risks.

### Build APIs with Cloudflare’s Developer Platform

The [Cloudflare Developer Platform](https://www.cloudflare.com/developer-platform/) offers a serverless execution environment, allowing you to build and deploy new APIs without the need to manage infrastructure. Its benefits include:

* **Global scalability**: Deploy your APIs across Cloudflare's extensive global network, ensuring low latency and high availability. ​

* **Integrated services**: Access a suite of services, including storage, databases, and AI tools, to enhance your API functionality.

* **Developer-friendly tools**: Utilize modern development tools and frameworks to streamline the API development process. ​

## Get started

To begin using Cloudflare API Shield, refer to our [Get started](https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/get-started/) guide.

For detailed instructions and additional resources, refer to the Cloudflare [API Shield documentation](https://developers.cloudflare.com/api-shield/).

By integrating API security, management, and development into a single platform, Cloudflare API Shield provides a comprehensive solution to protect, manage, and build APIs.
