# How do I get a Claude API key? **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Tags:** claude\ **Created:** [January 21, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://community.pickaxe.co/t/how-do-i-get-a-claude-api-key/3683 "2025-01-21T00:14:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bilbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90ced4/32.png) [@bilbo](https://community.pickaxe.co/u/bilbo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 12:14am UTC](https://community.pickaxe.co/t/how-do-i-get-a-claude-api-key/3683/1 "2025-01-21T00:14:04Z")
Okay, so I’m a newbie so go easy on me. This might be dumb but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get or find a **Claude API key**. I am wondering if someone can explain how I can get a claude API key from Anthropic. I have two questions basically. **How/where do I get the Claude api key?** I’d like to get an api key that works for both claude sonnet and claude opus. but when I got to Claude’s website I dont see a place to get it. **Is Claude API key different from a Claude account?** Is the Claude Api key different from just a claude account with anthropic? My understanding is the key works on a pay-as-you-go basis, but am I paying for this API key outside of my claude subscription? That’s what I’m gathering, but I just don’t know where to find the api key. Please One of the geniuses here tell me how to do this so I can launch my Claude AI app. I have a ton of people who need this. ---
**Author:** ![admin\_mike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex004/user_avatar/community.pickaxe.co/admin_mike/32/283_2.png) [@admin\_mike](https://community.pickaxe.co/u/admin_mike)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://community.pickaxe.co/t/how-do-i-get-a-claude-api-key/3683/2 "2025-01-21T00:22:12Z")
My friend, do not be overwhelmed. It is actually a pretty simple process, though it can be confusing. The API account is indeed separate from the normal Claude account. You need to get a developer account. This is not hard, but it’s just separate from their web-app. First, I recommend you check out this step-by-step guide [How to get a Claude API key](https://www.pickaxeproject.com/post/how-to-get-your-claude-api-key-a-step-by-step-guide). I can explain the steps here as well: - Go to the Anthropic website and go to the API section. It should take you to the [Anthropic dashboard](https://console.anthropic.com/dashboard). It should look like the image below. - Create an account there - Click on the **Settings\>Billing** and add a credit card there. - Click on the **Get API Keys** button. - Add a new API key - Save the API key! - Enter the Claude API key wherever you are trying use it (like Pickaxe). ![Screenshot 2025-01-20 at 4.20.14 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex004/uploads/pickaxeproject/original/2X/e/ea2266872bd0da12d4c562ee1cd2f0ce347d0ff1.jpeg) We also have a [video on Claude API keys](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp4we-ged4w) as well that you can watch here. ---
**Author:** ![bilbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90ced4/32.png) [@bilbo](https://community.pickaxe.co/u/bilbo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://community.pickaxe.co/t/how-do-i-get-a-claude-api-key/3683/3 "2025-01-21T06:01:55Z")
Thank you. This week is crazy, so when I have time later I will get a Claude API key. Also, I want to make sure I understand. So would you say that it’s correct that the claude.ai chat and the claude API key are different? And also, if it is different how much does a Claude API key cost? ---
**Author:** ![admin\_mike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex004/user_avatar/community.pickaxe.co/admin_mike/32/283_2.png) [@admin\_mike](https://community.pickaxe.co/u/admin_mike)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:09am UTC](https://community.pickaxe.co/t/how-do-i-get-a-claude-api-key/3683/4 "2025-01-21T06:09:23Z")
Yes I would say that they are different. Here are some additional details about Claude API keys. # **What is a Claude API key?** When you create a Claude account you can use Anthropic’s own implementation of the Claude models on their website in a ChatGPT-like experience. However, paying for this **does not** give you a Claude API key with unlimited usage. That is a separate thing you need to sign up for. Getting a Claude API key is a way to build apps on top of the claude models. And you must pay for your usage as you go. The reason for this is because with an API key, you can run millions of requests through their system whereas on the claude.ai website that isn’t really possible. # **Costs of Claude API Key** The costs behind using a Claude API key **are not fixed**. They have a fixed per-token cost that is not expensive, mere cents per request. It should be a trivial amount unless you are running huge volume through your Claude API key. ---
**Author:** ![nathaniel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex004/user_avatar/community.pickaxe.co/nathaniel/32/11_2.png) [@nathaniel](https://community.pickaxe.co/u/nathaniel)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://community.pickaxe.co/t/how-do-i-get-a-claude-api-key/3683/5 "2026-08-04T00:55:35Z")
This is very helpful!