reviews Get a Maps Demo Key: Try out select Maps JavaScript API and Places UI Kit features at no cost with a Maps Demo Key—no billing information required.
Set up the Maps JavaScript API
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Page Summary
Google Maps Platform requires an API key for authentication and billing purposes, associating your project with a unique alphanumeric string.
You can create and manage API keys via the Google Cloud Console or the Cloud SDK, enabling access and specifying restrictions for security.
Restricting API keys is highly recommended, limiting usage to specific applications and websites for enhanced security.
Include your API key in every Maps JavaScript API request, replacing YOUR_API_KEY in the provided script snippet.
This document describes the steps needed to start using the Maps JavaScript API.
To start using the Maps JavaScript API, you can either request a Maps Demo Key or set up an account and enable billing.
Get a Maps Demo Key
The Maps Demo Key is a no-cost feature that lets you start prototyping with select Maps JavaScript API features,
without entering billing information. The Maps Demo Key is intended
for testing and prototyping purposes only, and is not designed for production use. To learn more,
see
Get a Maps Demo Key and use it with the Maps JavaScript API
Get a standard API key
When you're ready for to move your code to production, complete the following steps to
create an API key and enable billing.
checklist
Ensure that you meet the prerequisites.
settings
Enable the API in your Google Cloud project.
verified_user
Configure an API key to make an authenticated API request.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2026-03-20 UTC."],[],["Google Maps Platform requires API keys for authentication and billing. To create an API key, navigate to the Google Maps Platform Credentials page and select \"Create credentials \\\u003e API key.\" Restricting API keys to specific applications and APIs is strongly recommended for security and to prevent financial abuse. This can be done via the console or Cloud SDK by setting application and API restrictions. Finally, include the API key in every Maps JavaScript API request.\n"]]
