diff --git a/docs/API.md b/docs/API.md
index 8ba848b..67d531d 100644
--- a/docs/API.md
+++ b/docs/API.md
@@ -477,7 +477,124 @@ Joins the caller to a shared expense list using an invite code.
 
 ## 5. Data Models
 
-_TODO_
+### AppUser
+
+Returned by all `/api/users` endpoints. Sensitive fields (`googleId`, `createdAt`) are hidden from API responses via `@JsonIgnore`.
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 1,
+  "username": "alice"
+}
+```
+
+| Field | Type | Notes |
+|-------|------|-------|
+| `id` | Long | Auto-generated primary key |
+| `username` | String | Unique. 3–30 chars. |
+
+---
+
+### ExpenseList
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 1,
+  "name": "Road Trip",
+  "inviteCode": "AB3X7Q",
+  "owner": { "id": 1, "username": "alice" },
+  "sharedWith": { "id": 2, "username": "bob" },
+  "xpenselyStandardCategories": {
+    "id": 1,
+    "categories": [
+      { "id": 1, "name": "Food", "colorCode": "#FF5733" }
+    ]
+  },
+  "customCategories": [],
+  "expenses": []
+}
+```
+
+| Field | Type | Notes |
+|-------|------|-------|
+| `id` | Long | Auto-generated primary key |
+| `name` | String | Display name of the list |
+| `inviteCode` | String \| null | 6-char code; `null` if not yet generated or expired |
+| `owner` | AppUser | User who created the list |
+| `sharedWith` | AppUser \| null | Second member of the list; `null` until an invite is accepted |
+| `xpenselyStandardCategories` | XpenselyStandardCategories | Default category set assigned at creation |
+| `customCategories` | XpenselyCustomCategory[] | User-defined categories, ordered A→Z |
+| `expenses` | Expense[] | All expenses, ordered by date ASC then id ASC |
+
+> `inviteCodeExpiration` is hidden from API responses (`@JsonIgnore`).
+
+---
+
+### Expense
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 7,
+  "title": "Dinner",
+  "owner": { "id": 1, "username": "alice" },
+  "amount": 42.50,
+  "personalUseAmount": 21.25,
+  "otherPersonAmount": 21.25,
+  "category": "Food",
+  "date": "2026-05-09"
+}
+```
+
+| Field | Type | Notes |
+|-------|------|-------|
+| `id` | Long | Auto-generated |
+| `title` | String | Description of the expense |
+| `owner` | AppUser | Who paid |
+| `amount` | Double | Total amount. Min 0.01. |
+| `personalUseAmount` | Double \| null | Caller's share |
+| `otherPersonAmount` | Double \| null | Other member's share |
+| `category` | String | Category name (free text — must match a category on the list) |
+| `date` | String (ISO-8601) | `YYYY-MM-DD` |
+
+> The `expenseList` back-reference is excluded via `@JsonBackReference` to prevent circular serialisation.
+
+---
+
+### XpenselyStandardCategories
+
+A named group of standard categories assigned to every new expense list.
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 1,
+  "categories": [
+    { "id": 1, "name": "Food", "colorCode": "#FF5733" },
+    { "id": 2, "name": "Transport", "colorCode": "#3498DB" }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+### XpenselyCustomCategory
+
+A user-defined category attached to a specific expense list.
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 5,
+  "name": "Souvenirs",
+  "colorCode": "#9B59B6"
+}
+```
+
+| Field | Type | Notes |
+|-------|------|-------|
+| `id` | Long | Auto-generated |
+| `name` | String | Category label |
+| `colorCode` | String | 7-char hex string e.g. `#RRGGBB` |
+
+> The `expenseList` back-reference is excluded via `@JsonBackReference`.
 
 ## 6. Error Handling