Set up the Maps JavaScript API

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.

1. Account and billing Ensure that you meet the prerequisites.

2. Enable the API Enable the API in your Google Cloud project.

3. Make your first request Configure an API key to make an authenticated API request.

Prerequisites

This procedure guides Google Cloud Account and Google Cloud project with billing enabled. You should also be familiar with how you are charged for using the Maps JavaScript API.

1. Review billing and cost for usage at Maps JavaScript API Usage and Billing.

2. Verify that you have a Google Cloud Account.

   Sign in to the Google Cloud console
   Note: If you are a new user and don't have a Google Cloud Account, meaning you cannot sign in to the console, see Getting started with Google Maps Platform.

3. Verify that you have a Google Cloud project with billing enabled.

   Go to the Billing page
   Note: If you are a new user and don't have a Google Cloud project, see Getting started with Google Maps Platform.
1. Select your project to open the Billing page.

2. On the Billing page:

   • If billing is already enabled for the selected project, and you only have a single billing account, then the Billing page opens.
   • If you have multiple billing accounts, select Go to linked billing account to see the details about the billing account associated with the project.
   • If a billing account exists but is not associated with the project, you are prompted to link a billing account with the project.
   • If no billing account exists, or you want to create a new billing a account, select Manage Billing Accounts to create a new billing account. For more information, see Create a new self-serve Cloud Billing account.