# How to Get a Google Maps API Key Free

Google offers developers access to a plethora of Google Maps features for active development. Google Maps features 99% coverage of the entire world, including over 200 countries and territories. The information is accurate and is in real-time, with 25 million updates to the data every day.

 With a developer account and a Google Maps API key, you can create customized experiences that make use of Street View photos, build routes, discover places, and more.

###  How to generate a Google Maps API key

 The first thing you’ll need to do is create a [Google Cloud Platform](https://console.cloud.google.com/) account if you don’t have one already.

 Here are the five simple steps to generate your Google Maps API key:

1.  Log in to the [Google Cloud Platform Console](https://console.cloud.google.com/)

![](https://3519142690-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FGP7SC290jpJkbrDUYdJ7%2Fuploads%2F6Kk4ERUKV2NI8wTbSoro%2FWelcome%20%E2%80%93%20ADoctor%20%E2%80%93%20Google%20Cloud%20console.png?alt=media\&token=1df1d544-0d52-47fb-a837-a35c9f0f0176)

1.  Select an existing project or create a new one to add an API key to
2.  Navigate to the APIs & Services > Credentials page

![](https://3519142690-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FGP7SC290jpJkbrDUYdJ7%2Fuploads%2FxsQxhSmWejrIobDbumA6%2FScreenshot%202022-07-13%20134854.png?alt=media\&token=e5d7e729-cd12-4031-9846-3a46ff3f1ba7)

1.  On the Credentials page, click Create credentials > API key and follow the prompts

![](https://3519142690-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FGP7SC290jpJkbrDUYdJ7%2Fuploads%2FxItvlJ3eu2wNczRyPFMX%2FCredentials%20%E2%80%93%20APIs%20%26%20Services%20%E2%80%93%20ADoctor%20%E2%80%93%20Google%20Cloud%20console.png?alt=media\&token=b5b3497b-f908-4b63-9c59-e7b7bc48815d)

1.  Click close and confirm your key has been created

###  How do I find my Google Maps API key?

 If you’re wondering how do I find my Google Maps API key, follow these three simple steps to find out:

1.  Log in to the Google API Console
2.  Navigate to the APIs & Services > Credentials page
3.  Locate your Maps API key in the list of credentials