OpenRouter
Unified API gateway for hundreds of models from many providers, with OpenAI-compatible endpoints and pay-as-you-go billing.
Overview
OpenRouter is a multi-provider API gateway. One account and one API key can route requests to models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, Meta and many other upstream providers.
It is a good fit when you want to experiment across vendors, keep a single OpenAI-compatible integration path, or switch models without rewriting your client code.
OpenRouter is a third-party aggregator, not the official console of each model vendor. Billing, rate limits, and model availability follow OpenRouter's own policies as well as upstream constraints.
How to Get an API Key
- Open the official OpenRouter keys page and sign in or create an account.
- Create a new API key, optionally set a credit limit, and copy the key immediately.
- Use the key as a Bearer token against OpenRouter's OpenAI-compatible API base URL.
- Keep the key in server-side environment variables; rotate it if it is ever exposed.
Common Models
FAQ
Is OpenRouter an official OpenAI or Anthropic product?
No. It is an independent aggregator that routes traffic to many providers through one API.
Can I use the OpenAI SDK with OpenRouter?
Yes. Point the SDK base URL to OpenRouter's API endpoint and use your OpenRouter API key.
Where should I confirm pricing and model availability?
Always check OpenRouter's official site and docs. Catalog and pricing can change frequently.