How to Get Google API Key For Free?
You can get a Google API key for free by signing up for Google Cloud and using the free tier. Here’s how:
1. Sign Up for Google Cloud Free Tier
Google offers $300 in free credits for new users that can be used to access various Google APIs.
🔹 Steps to Get a Free Google API Key:
1️⃣ Go to 👉 Google Cloud Console
2️⃣ Click “Get Started for Free” and sign in with your Google account.
3️⃣ Set up a new project (Click on “Select a Project” > “New Project”).
4️⃣ Go to “APIs & Services” > “Credentials” in the left menu.
5️⃣ Click “Create Credentials” > “API Key”
6️⃣ Copy your API key and use it in your applications.
🚫 Limitations:
- The $300 free credits expire in 90 days.
- Some APIs, like Google Maps, require billing info but offer a free usage tier.
2. Use Google API Free Tier (No Billing Required)
Google provides free monthly usage limits for some APIs, even without credits.
| API | Free Usage |
|---|---|
| Google Maps API | 28,500 requests/month |
| Google Places API | 1,000 requests/day |
| Google Translate API | Free for basic usage |
| Google Sheets API | Free tier available |
| YouTube Data API | 10,000 quota units/day |
🔹 To enable an API:
1️⃣ Go to Google Cloud Console
2️⃣ Navigate to “APIs & Services” > “Library”
3️⃣ Search for the API you want and click “Enable”
3. Use Google API Without Billing (Optional)
If you don’t want to add a credit card:
- Use APIs with a free quota (like YouTube, Translate, and Sheets).
- Restrict API keys to avoid exceeding free limits.
🔹 How to Restrict API Key?
1️⃣ Go to Google Cloud Console > Credentials
2️⃣ Click on your API Key
3️⃣ Set restrictions (like domain, IP address, or API-specific usage).
Final Thoughts
✅ Best way to get a free Google API key:
1️⃣ Sign up for Google Cloud (Get $300 free credits).
2️⃣ Use free-tier APIs (like YouTube, Sheets, or Translate).
3️⃣ Restrict API key to prevent unwanted charges.
Would you like help setting up a specific Google API? 🚀