diff --git a/src/basis/api.jl b/src/basis/api.jl
index 5610a39..37be460 100644
--- a/src/basis/api.jl
+++ b/src/basis/api.jl
@@ -120,6 +120,79 @@ Equivalent to `get_basis_derivatives(topology, basis, xi)[i]`.
     return get_basis_derivatives(topology, basis, xi)[i]
 end
 
+"""
+    nbasis(topology::AbstractTopology, basis::AbstractBasis) -> Int
+
+Return the number of basis functions for the given basis on the given topology.
+
+**Zero-cost:** This function compiles to a constant integer for concrete types.
+The return value is compile-time known, enabling type-stable allocations and
+constant propagation throughout assembly code.
+
+# Arguments
+- `topology::AbstractTopology`: Element topology instance (e.g., `Triangle{3}()`, `Tetrahedron{10}()`)
+- `basis::AbstractBasis`: Basis instance (e.g., `Lagrange{1}()`, `Lagrange{2}()`)
+
+# Returns
+- `Int`: Number of basis functions (compile-time constant for generated bases)
+
+# Examples
+```julia
+# Standard nodal bases
+nbasis(Triangle{3}(), Lagrange{1}())       # 3 (linear triangle)
+nbasis(Triangle{6}(), Lagrange{2}())       # 6 (quadratic triangle)
+nbasis(Tetrahedron{10}(), Lagrange{2}())   # 10 (quadratic tetrahedron)
+
+# Exotic elements (nodes ≠ basis functions)
+nbasis(Triangle{3}(), DKT())               # 9 (3 nodes but 9 DOFs!)
+
+# Serendipity families
+nbasis(Quadrilateral{8}(), Serendipity{2}())  # 8 (reduced quadratic quad)
+```
+
+# Implementation Notes
+
+For generated bases (Lagrange, Serendipity), `nbasis` functions are automatically
+generated by `basis_generator.jl` alongside the basis function implementations.
+This ensures consistency: the generator knows exactly how many basis functions
+it produced, so `nbasis` always returns the correct value.
+
+For custom/special bases (DKT, hierarchical, etc.), implement manually:
+```julia
+@inline nbasis(::Triangle{3}, ::DKT) = 9
+```
+
+For truly dynamic bases (adaptive refinement), use instance-based dispatch:
+```julia
+@inline nbasis(::K, basis::HierarchicalBasis) where {K<:AbstractTopology} = basis.active_modes
+```
+
+# Compile-Time Verification
+
+You can verify zero-cost compilation:
+```julia
+@code_llvm nbasis(Triangle{3}(), Lagrange{1}())
+# Should show: ret i64 3 (direct constant return)
+
+@code_native nbasis(Triangle{3}(), Lagrange{1}())
+# Should show: mov rax, 3; ret (single instruction)
+```
+
+# Usage in Validation
+
+The primary use case is validating the Ciarlet triplet (K, P, Σ):
+```julia
+function validate_dof_consistency(dof, K, P)
+    n_dofs = ndofs(dof, K)
+    n_basis = nbasis(K(), P())  # ← Zero-cost!
+    @assert n_dofs == n_basis "Inconsistent element: \$n_basis basis ≠ \$n_dofs DOFs"
+end
+```
+
+See also: [`get_basis_functions`](@ref), [`validate_dof_consistency`](@ref)
+"""
+function nbasis end
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Deprecated bridge (old API names)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -140,25 +213,7 @@ Provided temporarily for migration.
 """
 function eval_dbasis! end
 
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Degrees of freedom utility
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-"""
-    ndofs(basis::AbstractBasis)
-    ndofs(::Type{<:AbstractBasis})
-
-Total degrees of freedom for this basis. For standard nodal bases, this is
-usually equal to the number of basis functions; specialized bases (e.g., plates)
-can override to return multiple DOFs per node.
-"""
-function ndofs end
-
-# Default: basis implementations should override; no assumption about nnodes here.
-ndofs(::AbstractBasis) = error("ndofs not implemented for this basis")
-ndofs(::Type{<:AbstractBasis}) = error("ndofs not implemented for this basis type")
-
 export AbstractBasis, Lagrange, Serendipity
-export ndofs
 export get_basis_functions, get_basis_derivatives, get_basis_function, get_basis_derivative
+export nbasis
 export eval_basis!, eval_dbasis!