Django REST Framework (DRF) is the leading toolkit for building Web APIs in Django. It serializes Django model data into JSON, handles authentication (token, session, JWT), and provides browsable APIs for testing. With DRF, you can create a fully functional CRUD API in minutes.

Start by installing djangorestframework and adding it to INSTALLED_APPS. Define a serializer for your model – it specifies which fields to expose and validates incoming data. Then create viewsets that combine common logic for list, create, retrieve, update, and delete actions. DRF’s routers automatically generate URL patterns for your viewsets.

For example, a Book model can have a ModelViewSet that gives you a complete REST endpoint at /api/books/. DRF also supports pagination, filtering, and throttling out of the box. It’s used by Mozilla, Red Hat, and Eventbrite. Whether you need a mobile backend or a single‑page application integration, DRF saves months of boilerplate coding. Combine it with Django’s ORM and you have a powerful, secure API layer ready for production.