How to Get a Google Maps Platform API Key: A Quick Guide

To use maps, address search, routes, or any other Google Maps Platform API on your website, app, or system, you need an API key: a code that identifies your project and lets Google track and bill your usage.

In this guide, we explain how billing works and walk you through creating and securing your key.

How much does Google Maps Platform cost?

Creating a key is free. You’re billed based on how much you use each API.

Since March 2025, Google Maps Platform has grouped its products into three categories, each with a free monthly usage cap per SKU (each type of billable call):

• Essentials: 10,000 free events per month for most SKUs;
• Pro: 5,000 free events per month per SKU;
• Enterprise: 1,000 free events per month per SKU.

This model replaced the old $200 monthly credit. Above the cap, each SKU has its own price per 1,000 calls, with automatic volume discounts.

In practice, your cost depends on which APIs you use and how much you use them. Before launching a project, check the Google Maps Platform pricing page and set up budget alerts on your billing account.

How to get a Google Maps Platform API key

1. Sign in with your Google Account

To get started, you need a Google Account. For business use, choose a corporate account from your organization rather than a personal one.

2. Open the Google Cloud console and create a project

Go to the Google Cloud console and create a new project or select an existing one.

Give the project a name that reflects its purpose, such as “website-store-locator” or “delivery-app-prod.” That makes it easier to identify and track costs when you have multiple projects.

3. Link a billing account

Google Maps Platform requires an active billing account, even if your usage stays within the free caps.

In the console menu, go to Billing and link the project to an existing account or create a new one with your company details and payment method.

While you’re there, set up budget alerts so you’re notified when spending approaches the limit you choose.

4. Enable the APIs you’ll use

Open the API Library, search for the APIs you need, and click Enable on each one. The most common are:

• Maps JavaScript API: interactive maps on websites;
• Maps Static API: static map images;
• Places API (New): place search and address autocomplete;
• Geocoding API: converting addresses to coordinates and back;
• Routes API: route, distance, and travel time calculations.

Enable only the APIs your project actually needs.

5. Create the API key

In the console menu, go to Google Maps Platform > Keys & Credentials (or APIs & Services > Credentials) and click Create credentials > API key.

The key is generated instantly. Rename it to reflect where it will be used.

6. Restrict the key

This step is essential: an unrestricted key can be copied and used by others, running up charges on your account.

On the key’s edit screen, set up two types of restrictions:

• Application restrictions: limit who can use the key, such as your website’s domains, your servers’ IP addresses, or your Android and iOS apps;
• API restrictions: limit which APIs the key can call. Select only the ones you enabled in step 4.

Click Save. You’re all set: you can now add the key to your website, app, or system.

To track usage and costs, check the Metrics section of Google Maps Platform and the console’s Billing dashboard.

Integrate Google Maps Platform with Maplink Cloud

Maplink Cloud is a Premier Partner for Google Cloud and Google Maps Platform and has spent more than 25 years bringing together geolocation, cloud, and data intelligence for companies across Latin America. With our Managed Services, we help your company choose the right APIs, set up projects and keys securely, and optimize costs.

When you get Google Maps Platform through Maplink Cloud, you benefit from:

• commercial terms based on your request volume;
• local billing in local currency;
• local support and custom workshops for your team;
• monthly usage reviews with a specialist in your industry.

Talk to a specialist ➜