From [the `/questions` doc][1]: > ...use the tagged parameter with **a semi-colon delimited** list of tags. This is an and contraint(sic), **passing tagged=c;java** will return only those questions **with both tags**... <sup>(Emphasis added)</sup> If you want questions that have *either* tag, use [the `/search` route][2] (or `/search/advanced`). As for why the API sometimes differs from the website search, that has been asked a few times both here and elsewhere. For example, see https://stackapps.com/questions/4459/why-is-there-a-difference-between-questions-and-search-in-api. [1]: https://api.stackexchange.com/docs/questions [2]: https://api.stackexchange.com/docs/search