How to get a free Gemini API key
Create a free key in Google AI Studio in a few steps, then compare free and paid keys and set up billing
Gemini API key
A Gemini API key lets an app or service use Gemini models with your own Google account. You can create one for free in Google AI Studio, and any charges are paid by the key owner directly to Google
How to get a key
Create a key in Google AI Studio in four steps:
- Open
https://aistudio.google.com/apikeyand sign in with your Google account - On a new account, accepting the terms creates a Google Cloud project and an API key automatically
- To create more keys, click 'Create API key'
- Click the copy icon next to the key to copy it
Accounts that already use Google Cloud do not get a default project; use 'Import projects' to bring in a project, then create a key there. Keys created on or after May 28, 2026 are restricted to the Gemini API by default
If you can't create a key
Try again with a personal Google account. Keys cannot be created for accounts under 18, work or school accounts blocked by an administrator, or in unsupported regions
Free and paid keys
A key from a project without billing is a free key; a key from a project with billing set up is a paid key
| Item | Free key | Paid key |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Pay for what you use |
| Limits | Daily limit per project, reset at midnight Pacific time | Higher limits than free |
| Use of what you send | Used to improve Google products and may be reviewed by people | Not used to improve products |
Google's terms ask you not to send sensitive or personal information with a free key. Per-model limits are shown in AI Studio
Setting up billing
Click 'Set up billing' on the API keys or Projects page in AI Studio, link a billing account and add prepaid credit; as of October 2026 the minimum is $5, and prepay is the default for new users
When the prepaid balance reaches zero, requests fail and keys in every project linked to that billing account stop together. A key follows the billing status of its project
Keeping your key safe
Treat the key like a password and never share it or post it online. If you think it has leaked, create a new key, switch to it, then disable the old one
Connecting the key to Hearlog
Hearlog is a free Android app that transcribes and summarizes call and meeting recordings using your own Gemini API key
On first launch, tap 'Create a key in AI Studio', copy the key and return to the app to connect it. Keys from projects without billing are registered as free keys and keys from billed projects as paid keys automatically
The key is encrypted with the Android Keystore and excluded from cloud backup, and any charges are paid directly to Google