Howdy friends,

The Wikimedia Math API https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?api=wmf-math%2Fv1&title=Special%3ARestSandbox is now deprecated. We plan to fully remove support by the end of September 2026. Developers who are calling these endpoints are advised to transition to alternative math rendering solutions, such as relying on native browser support for MathML https://www.w3.org/TR/mathml4/ or other client-side solutions.

== Why are we deprecating and removing these endpoints? ==

Mathoid is now the only service remaining on RESTBase, blocking its path to sunsetting (which began in 2019 https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/RESTBase/deprecation). By removing these endpoints, we may fully disable the RESTBase service, which supports our goal of consolidation and reducing infrastructure costs.

We are able to move forward with this sunsetting because maturity and support for MathML has improved across browsers, reducing the need for the custom math rendering solution. Starting in July 2026, Wikimedia projects began transitioning to utilize native browser rendering instead of relying on Mathoid. Native browser rendering is now available as a user preference. Wikimedia projects now also offer client-side MathJax https://www.mathjax.org/ support https://www.mathjax.org/ to improve rendering where the maturity and support for MathML rendering is not fully covered, to ensure that we maintain a high quality math experience within Wikimedia projects. In either scenario, the server-side rendering approach offered through Mathoid via RESTBase is no longer required.

== When will these endpoints be fully sunset and disabled? ==

Once all Wikimedia projects have switched from Mathoid to native MathML + MathJax, we will move quickly on sunsetting the Math endpoints and completing the RESTBase sunsetting effort. We currently expect the Wikimedia switch to be complete by the end of August 2026, and plan to fully disable the Mathoid endpoints by the end of September 2026. Prior to the final sunsetting date, we will have some ‘brown out’ windows where the API service will be temporarily disabled to ensure all users are aware of the change and can address unexpected breakages. We will also monitor traffic coming from community owned tools and work with tool owners where needed to transition to alternative solutions where needed.

== What does this mean for third-party MediaWiki users? ==

Some third party MediaWiki users rely on the Mathoid endpoints outside of WMF owned features. MediaWiki 1.43 (the previous LTS) already removed reliance on Mathoid in favor of native MathML. Third-parties who rely on the Math extension and mathematical formulas are encouraged to upgrade to MW 1.43+ to avoid disruption to formula rendering. The upcoming MW 1.47 LTS (targeting November release https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Version_lifecycle) will also include the same client-side MathJax support seen in Wikimedia projects to provide the best experience for all MediaWiki installations.

== What does this mean for rendering custom math formulas outside of MediaWiki? ==

Requests for adhoc formula rendering outside of a MediaWiki context will no longer be supported. Alternative approaches are required, such as migrating to use native MathML or implementing a client-side alternative.

== Will this result in a major version change for the MediaWiki REST API? ==

No. Due to adoption outside of Wikimedia hosted projects, we decided to proceed with removal without a major API version increment to minimize disruption for other developers in the community. The Math endpoints are part of the Wikimedia REST API, which is predominantly used by Wikimedia Foundation owned features and mobile applications.

== Where can I get more information about the deprecation process? ==

For more information about our approach to deprecation overall, see the new API Deprecation https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/API/Deprecation page for more information about deprecation processes.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t be shy about reaching out here, or tagging us on a talk page.

Thanks,

Halley, Mateus, and Timo

*Halley Coplin* (she/her) Sr. Product Manager, MediaWiki Interfaces Wikimedia Foundation https://wikimediafoundation.org/

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