How to Create an OpenAI API Key – Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

You want to use an app like ClipboardAI, and it's asking for an "OpenAI API Key." Sounds technical, but it takes less than five minutes. This guide walks you through every step.

What even is an API key?

An API key is like a personal password that lets apps access OpenAI's AI on your behalf. Instead of the app paying for AI usage itself, it uses your key — and you only pay for what you actually use.

The upside: you have full control over your costs and can disable the key at any time.

Step 1: Create an OpenAI account

If you don't have an OpenAI account yet:

1. Go to platform.openai.com
2. Click "Sign up" (top right)
3. Register with your email, Google, or Microsoft account
4. Confirm your email address

Important: This is a separate account from ChatGPT. Even if you already use ChatGPT, you may need to sign up again for the API platform (using the same credentials).

Step 2: Navigate to the API Keys page

1. Log in at platform.openai.com
2. Click "Settings" in the top right (the gear icon next to your profile picture)
3. Select "API keys" from the menu on the left

Or go directly to platform.openai.com/settings/organization/api-keys

A note about projects: OpenAI now organizes API keys into Projects within Organizations. When you sign up for the first time, an organization and a "Default project" are automatically created for you. You'll see the project selector in the left sidebar. For getting started, the "Default project" is perfectly fine.

Step 3: Create a new API key

1. Click "Create new secret key"
2. Give the key a name (e.g., "ClipboardAI" or "My-MacBook")
3. Select a project (the "Default project" works fine to start)
4. Choose the permissions:
   • All (default) — Full access, the right choice for most apps
   • Restricted — Limited access to specific features
   • Read Only — Read-only access
5. Click "Create secret key"

Now here's the most important part:

The key is shown to you exactly once. It looks something like this:

sk-proj-aBcDeFgHiJkLmNoPqRsTuVwXyZ123456789...

Copy it immediately and store it somewhere safe. A password manager, a secure note, or at the very least a document that only you have access to.

Once you close that window, you can never see the key again. You'd have to create a new one.

Step 4: Add credits

The API works on a prepaid basis. You need to add credits before you can use it.

1. Go to Settings → Billing (or directly to platform.openai.com/settings/organization/billing)
2. Click "Add payment method"
3. Add a credit card
4. Click "Add to credit balance"
5. Choose an amount (recommendation for getting started: $5–10)

Tip: You can set a monthly spending limit under Settings → Limits. That way you won't get any surprises on your bill.

Step 5: Enter the API key in your app

Now you can use the key in any app that asks for it. In ClipboardAI, for example:

1. Open ClipboardAI settings
2. Go to "API Keys"
3. Paste your OpenAI API key
4. Save

That's it. The app now uses your OpenAI account for AI requests.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

Costs depend on the model you use. For typical text tasks:

• Processing 1,000 words: ~$0.01–0.05
• Correcting 50 emails: ~$0.05–0.15 per day
• Normal monthly usage: $1–5

Sounds cheap? It is. → More on cost breakdown

Is my key safe?

Your key is only as safe as you keep it. A few rules:

• Never share it publicly (GitHub, forums, screenshots)
• Never send it via email
• Only use it in apps you trust
• If you suspect misuse: delete it immediately and create a new one

Can I have multiple keys?

Yes. You can create as many keys as you want — one per app, one per device, whatever works for you. This has real advantages:

• You can see in the dashboard which key is using how much
• You can disable individual keys without affecting others
• If there's a security issue, you only need to replace one key

What happens when my credits run out?

The API simply stops working until you top up. No hidden charges, no automatic billing (unless you enable "Auto recharge" in the settings).

Can I share my key with others?

Technically yes, but I'd strongly advise against it. Anyone with your key can make API requests on your dime. Better approach: everyone creates their own key.

What are organizations and projects?

OpenAI introduced a hierarchical structure:

• Organization: Your main account. This is where your payment method lives.
• Projects: Sub-sections within an organization. Each project has its own API keys and usage stats.

For personal use, one organization with the "Default project" is all you need. Projects become useful when you want to manage different apps or use cases separately — for example, "Personal" and "Work" with separate budget limits.

Troubleshooting

"Invalid API key"

• Check that you copied the key correctly (no spaces at the beginning or end)
• Make sure you're using the new key, not an old, deleted one

"You exceeded your current quota"

• Your credits are used up. Top up under Billing.

"Rate limit exceeded"

• You're sending too many requests too quickly. Wait a moment and try again.

"This model does not exist"

• The app is trying to use a model you don't have access to. Check the app settings or contact the app's support.

Summary

1. Create an account at platform.openai.com (organization is set up automatically)
2. Select a project ("Default project" is fine to start)
3. Generate an API key under "API Keys"
4. Store the key safely (it's only shown once!)
5. Add credits under "Billing"
6. Enter the key in your app and you're good to go

The whole process takes under five minutes. After that, you'll have access to the most powerful AI models in the world — at a fraction of the cost of a monthly subscription.