How to Get a Claude API Key (Anthropic API Key) in 2026: Claude Console Steps, Key Types, Workspaces, Billing and Security

Last updated: 13 November 2026. All prices checked on the vendors’ official pages that day.

A Claude API key (also called an Anthropic API key) lets your software call Claude models such as Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5 and Haiku 5.5. Keys are created in the Claude Console at platform.claude.com, which is separate from the Claude chat app. This guide walks through creating a key, choosing the right key type, scoping it to a workspace, paying for usage and avoiding the common mistakes.

Source: Anthropic’s Get your Claude API key page, checked 13 November 2026. For costs, see Claude API pricing.

Before you start: region and account

Anthropic only serves its supported countries and regions. The list includes Singapore and Taiwan but not mainland China or Hong Kong. The organisation, payment details and usage need to genuinely belong to a business in a supported region. Using shared, bought or borrowed accounts is against Anthropic’s terms; do not do it.

How to get a Claude API key: 6 steps

1. Sign in to the Claude Console at platform.claude.com (or create an account).
2. Open the API keys page: platform.claude.com/settings/keys.
3. Click “Create key”, name it, choose an expiration and set Linked account to yourself or to a service account.
4. Select a workspace to scope the key, so its usage and limits sit in the right place.
5. Copy the key. It starts with sk-ant- and is shown only once. Save it in a secrets manager.
6. Buy credits on the Billing page and make your first request.

export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-api03-..."
pip install anthropic
python -c "import anthropic; c=anthropic.Anthropic(); print(c.messages.create(model='claude-haiku-5-5', max_tokens=100, messages=[{'role':'user','content':'Hello'}]).content[0].text)"

The SDK reads ANTHROPIC_API_KEY automatically. If your key is not scoped to a workspace, direct HTTP requests must also send the anthropic-workspace-id header.

Personal key, service account key or workspace key?

Anthropic recommends personal keys for your own development and service account keys for anything shared, such as production services, CI pipelines or agents. Legacy workspace keys keep working after their creator leaves, which is exactly why they are riskier. Organisation admins can automate key management through the Admin API, but it cannot recover a lost key or hand out a usable key.

Workspaces: separate teams and budgets

Use one workspace per product or client so you can see usage, set limits and revoke access per workspace. This is also the cleanest way to track costs when Claude runs inside several products. Prices per model are in our Claude API pricing guide; Claude’s newer tokenizer produces about 30% more tokens for the same text, so recount when you migrate.

Billing

• Usage is billed in USD based on actual monthly usage.
• Standard accounts pay by credit card and buy credits on the Billing page (platform.claude.com/settings/billing).
• Enterprise customers can arrange invoicing.
• New users receive some free credits to test the API.

Troubleshooting

Security checklist

• Keep keys on the server only, never in browser or mobile code.
• Set an expiry on every key and rotate regularly.
• Prefer service accounts over personal keys for production.
• Review keys when staff leave and revoke unused ones.
• Watch usage per workspace for spikes.

Running agents with tool access? Read our prompt injection defence guide as well.

Using Claude with other models

Most teams end up using more than one vendor. You can manage separate keys for Anthropic, OpenAI and Google Gemini, or route them through one API (see OpenRouter guide). PandaWM helps companies set up their own Claude Console organisation through an entity legitimately established in a supported region, or connect Claude with GPT and Gemini through a compliant unified API: Overseas AI Token service: account setup + API access (PandaWM).

FAQ

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

Yes. Anthropic calls them both names; they are created in the Claude Console.

Does a Claude Pro subscription include an API key?

No. The Claude app and the Claude API are separate. API keys and API billing live in the Claude Console.

Can I see my Claude API key again later?

No. It is shown once. Create a new one if you lose it.

Is there a free Claude API key?

Creating a key is free and new users get some free test credits; ongoing usage is paid.

What does a Claude API key start with?

sk-ant-.

Can PandaWM provide a Claude API key?

We do not sell, rent or share keys or accounts. We help your company open and manage its own account, or connect through a compliant unified API.

Compliance note: Each model vendor only serves customers in its supported countries and regions and requires accurate account, identity and billing information. PandaWM helps companies use AI models through their own accounts or overseas entities that are legitimately established in supported regions, or through a compliant unified API. We do not sell, rent, share or transfer accounts or API keys, and we do not help anyone bypass regional restrictions, KYC, sanctions or payment controls. We are not an official partner or reseller of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or any other vendor. Prices on this page are the vendors’ public list prices, not PandaWM prices.

Related guides

• Overseas AI Token service: account setup + API access (PandaWM)
• Claude API pricing: Opus, Sonnet, Haiku
• How to get an OpenAI API key
• How to get a Gemini API key in Google AI Studio
• OpenRouter pricing and API key guide
• What is a token in AI? Token cost explained
• LLM API pricing comparison: cheapest providers
• 简体中文：大模型 API 价格对比

Official sources

• Anthropic: get your Claude API key
• Anthropic: supported regions
• Anthropic: Claude API pricing
• Anthropic: token counting

All official pages checked on 2026-11-13. Prices are in USD per 1 million tokens (MTok), before tax. Vendors change prices; the official pages prevail.