How to Get Your OpenAI API Key

Before you start

You'll need:

1. An OpenAI account (separate from your ChatGPT account, sign up at the same link in Step 1 if you do not have one)
2. A credit or debit card for the pay-as-you-go billing in Step 3 (most automations cost a fraction of a cent per run)
3. About 5 minutes

1. Go to the OpenAI API Keys page

Open API Keys page →

Log in or create an account. If you land on a page where you can see and manage your keys, you're in the right place.

No OpenAI account yet? This is separate from ChatGPT. You'll need to create a free account at that link first, then come back and click Create new secret key.

2. Create a new key

Click Create new secret key. Give it a name like Zapier so you know what it's for. Copy the key before closing the window. OpenAI only shows it once.

Closed the window before copying? Just delete that key and create a new one. Takes 30 seconds.

3. Add a payment method

API usage is pay-as-you-go. For most automations, the cost is a fraction of a cent per run. You can set a monthly spending limit and OpenAI will email you before you get close to it.

Open Billing settings →

A $10/month limit is more than enough for most use cases.

Verify it worked

Paste your key into whatever tool you are connecting (Zapier, Make, a custom worker). Most tools show a green "Connected" indicator within a few seconds. You can also confirm by coming back to the API keys page. Within about a minute of the key being used for the first time, the row will show "Last used" with today's date.

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