diff --git a/src/upload.rs b/src/upload.rs
index b06e012..02cb518 100644
--- a/src/upload.rs
+++ b/src/upload.rs
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ struct UploadManifest {
 enum ServerMessage {
     Ready { code: String },
     TooBig { max_size: u64 },
-    TooLong { max_days: u16 },
+    TooLong { max_lifetime: u16 },
     IncorrectPassword,
     Error { details: String },
 }
@@ -150,8 +150,8 @@ impl From<&Error> for ServerMessage {
             Error::TooBig(max_size) => ServerMessage::TooBig {
                 max_size: *max_size,
             },
-            Error::TooLong(max_days) => ServerMessage::TooLong {
-                max_days: *max_days,
+            Error::TooLong(max_lifetime) => ServerMessage::TooLong {
+                max_lifetime: *max_lifetime,
             },
             Error::IncorrectPassword => ServerMessage::IncorrectPassword,
             _ => ServerMessage::Error {
diff --git a/static/css/states.css b/static/css/states.css
index 748c4a3..165854f 100644
--- a/static/css/states.css
+++ b/static/css/states.css
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
  * List of classes the body can have:
  *
  * landing: haven't entered upload password yet
+ * uploads_closed: uploading is currently unavailable
  * no_files: no files are selected
  * selecting: upload hasn't started yet
  * uploading: upload is in progress
@@ -15,7 +16,11 @@ body.landing .section_heading { display: revert; }
 #download { display: none; }
 body.landing #download { display: revert; }
 
+#uploads_closed_notice { display: none; }
+body.uploads_closed #uploads_closed_notice { display: revert; }
+
 body.noscript #upload { display: none; }
+body.uploads_closed #upload { display: none; }
 
 #message { display: none; }
 body.completed #message {
diff --git a/static/index.html b/static/index.html
index ff438e6..58ecd49 100644
--- a/static/index.html
+++ b/static/index.html
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@
       </form>
     </div>
     <noscript>Javascript is required to upload files :(</noscript>
+    <div id="uploads_closed_notice" class="section">
+      <h4>Uploading is currently closed.</h4>
+    </div>
     <div id="upload" class="section">
       <h3 class="section_heading">Upload</h3>
       <div id="message"></div>
diff --git a/static/js/upload.js b/static/js/upload.js
index 6cca00c..c61c1b9 100644
--- a/static/js/upload.js
+++ b/static/js/upload.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ let progress;
 let progressBar;
 
 document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
-    document.body.className = "landing";
+    document.body.className = 'landing';
 
     messageBox = document.getElementById('message');
     fileInput = document.getElementById('file_input');
@@ -34,6 +34,17 @@ document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
     progress = document.getElementById('progress');
     progressBar = document.getElementById('progress_bar');
 
+    fetch('/upload/limits.json')
+        .then((res) => res.json())
+        .then((limits) => {
+            if (limits.open === false) {
+                document.body.className = 'uploads_closed landing';
+                return;
+            }
+            maxSize = limits.max_size;
+            updateMaxLifetime(limits.max_lifetime);
+        });
+
     const uploadPasswordInput = document.getElementById('upload_password');
     const uploadPasswordForm = document.getElementById('upload_password_form');
     uploadPasswordForm.addEventListener('submit', (e) => {
@@ -193,17 +204,8 @@ function handleMessage(msg) {
             maxSize = reply.max_size;
             updateFiles();
         } else if (reply.type === 'too_long') {
-            let options = Array.from(lifetimeInput.options);
-            options.reverse();
-            for (const option of options) {
-                if (option.value > reply.max_days) {
-                    option.disabled = true;
-                } else {
-                    option.selected = true;
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-            displayError(`The maximum retention time for uploads is ${reply.max_days} days`);
+            updateMaxLifetime(reply.max_lifetime);
+            displayError(`The maximum retention time for uploads is ${reply.max_lifetime} days`);
         } else if (reply.type === 'incorrect_password') {
             messageBox.textContent = ('Incorrect password');
             document.body.className = 'error landing';
@@ -221,6 +223,19 @@ function handleMessage(msg) {
     }
 }
 
+function updateMaxLifetime(lifetime) {
+    let options = Array.from(lifetimeInput.options);
+    options.reverse();
+    for (const option of options) {
+        if (option.value > lifetime) {
+            option.disabled = true;
+        } else {
+            option.selected = true;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 function sendData() {
     if (fileIndex >= files.length) {
         finishSending();