API Key Setup7 min readPublished: 2026-07-29Updated: 2026-07-29

How to Get a Claude API Key (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Claude by Anthropic is a top-tier AI model. Here's exactly how to create your Claude/Anthropic API key, understand pricing, and make your first API call.

Claude API Key vs Anthropic API Key

There is no separate 'Claude API key' — the key you need is an Anthropic API key. Claude is the model; Anthropic is the company that provides the API. When you search for 'how to get a Claude API key,' what you actually need is an Anthropic API key from the Anthropic Console.

The same key works for all Claude models, including Claude Sonnet, Claude Opus, and Claude Haiku.

Step 1: Create an Anthropic Account

Go to the Anthropic Console at console.anthropic.com and sign up. You'll need to verify your email and provide a phone number for verification.

Anthropic is available to developers in most countries. If you're in a region where Anthropic is not directly available, you may need to use a VPN or check availability in your region.

Step 2: Generate Your API Key

After logging in to the Anthropic Console, go to the API Keys section. Click 'Create Key,' give it a name that reflects its purpose (e.g., 'production-app' or 'testing'), and copy the key immediately.

Anthropic also supports workspace-level key management, which is useful for teams. You can create separate keys for different workspaces or environments.

Step 3: Add Credits

Anthropic uses a prepaid billing model. Before making API calls, you need to add credits to your account. New accounts may receive a small amount of free credits for testing.

Go to the Billing section in the console, add your payment method, and purchase credits. You can also set spending limits to avoid unexpected charges.

Step 4: Make Your First Request

Anthropic provides its own Python SDK. Here's a minimal example of calling Claude:

python

import anthropic

client = anthropic.Anthropic(
    api_key="your-anthropic-api-key"
)

message = client.messages.create(
    model="claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
    max_tokens=1024,
    messages=[
        {"role": "user", "content": "Hello, what can you do?"}
    ]
)

print(message.content[0].text)

Minimal Claude API call using the Anthropic Python SDK

Claude API Pricing

Anthropic charges per million tokens, with separate rates for input and output. Different Claude models have different price points — Claude Haiku is the most affordable, Claude Sonnet is mid-range, and Claude Opus is the premium tier.

Check the official Anthropic pricing page for current rates, as pricing may change when new models are released.

FAQ

Is the Claude API key the same as the Anthropic API key?

Yes. There is no separate Claude API key. You create an Anthropic API key in the Anthropic Console, and it works for all Claude models.

Does Claude API have a free tier?

New Anthropic accounts may receive a small amount of free credits for testing. For ongoing use, you need to purchase credits. There is no permanent free tier like Google AI Studio offers.

Can I use Claude API with OpenAI SDK?

Not directly. Anthropic has its own SDK. However, some wrapper libraries and proxy services provide OpenAI-compatible interfaces for Claude. For best results, use the official Anthropic SDK.