Google Gemini API Key Tester
Enter your Google Gemini API key below and click 'Test Key' to check if it works. This tool will send a request to Google Gemini asking, "Does this key work?" and return a response with an explanation.
💰 Once your key works, estimate what it will cost: try the Google Gemini API cost calculator.
🔑 How to Get Your API Key
2. Click 'Get API key' in the dashboard
3. Create a new API key or use existing one
4. Copy the generated key
5. No payment required for basic usage
Test Your API Key
🔧 Alternative: cURL Command
You can also test your API key using cURL from your terminal:
curl -sS -X POST 'https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models/gemini-1.5-flash:generateContent' -H 'x-goog-api-key: {{KEY}}' -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"contents":[{"parts":[{"text":"Hello world!"}]}]}'
💻 How to run this command in your terminal:
- Copy the command above by clicking the "Copy" button
- Open your terminal (Command Prompt on Windows, Terminal on Mac/Linux)
- Paste the command using Ctrl+V (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+V (Mac)
- Press Enter to execute the command
- Check the response - you'll see either a success message or an error explaining what's wrong
💡 Terminal Tips:
- Make sure you have
curlinstalled (it comes pre-installed on Mac and most Linux systems) - On Windows, you may need to install curl or use PowerShell's
Invoke-WebRequestinstead - If you see "command not found", try
curl --versionto check if it's installed
🔧 Common Google Gemini API key errors
⚠️ Newly created Gemini keys can take a few minutes to activate
Google has intermittently delayed serving recently created keys, returning 400/403 for a short window after creation. If your key is brand new, wait a few minutes and test again.
Last updated: 2026-07-10
❌ 400 — "api key not valid"
Cause: The key is malformed or copied incorrectly.
Fix: Recreate the key in Google AI Studio (aistudio.google.com/apikey) and copy it fully.
❌ 403
Cause: The key lacks access to the Generative Language API, or the API isn't enabled on the project.
Fix: Enable the Generative Language API for the key's Google Cloud project.
❌ 429
Cause: Free-tier rate or daily quota exceeded.
Fix: Wait and retry, or enable billing for higher quota.
🔑 API Key Format Guide
Your Google Gemini API key should follow the correct format:
✅ Valid Format
AIzaSyA1b2C3...
Starts with "AIzaSy". Google API keys start with AIzaSy.
❌ Invalid Format
invalid_key_format
Missing required prefix, wrong length, or incorrect format
How to check if your Google Gemini API key is working
- Copy your key from Google AI Studio (aistudio.google.com/apikey).
- Paste it into the tester above and click Test Key.
- Green means valid; red shows the error. Brand-new keys may need a few minutes — see the note above.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I test my Google Gemini API key?
Simply paste your API key into the form above and click "Test Key". Our tool will make a test request to Google Gemini to verify your key works.
Is it safe to test my API key here?
Yes! All testing happens in your browser - we never see or store your API keys. The key never leaves your device.
What if my API key test fails?
Check the error message above. Common issues include invalid keys, expired keys, insufficient credits, or rate limiting. Use the troubleshooting guide above for specific solutions.
Can I test multiple API keys?
Yes, you can test as many keys as you need. Each test is independent and secure.
Why do I need to use the terminal?
Some providers use server-side authentication for enhanced security. The terminal method provides direct access to test your API key with full compatibility.
Use Cases
- Quickly verify if your Google Gemini API key is valid
- Troubleshoot API key-related issues with detailed error messages
- Understand Google Gemini API response codes and their meanings
- Test API connectivity before integrating AI models into your applications
- Verify model access and rate limits for your account
Supported Google Gemini Responses
This tool handles all Google Gemini error codes, including:
- 200 (OK): Key is valid and working correctly
- 201 (Created): Request successful and resource created
- 202 (Accepted): Request accepted and being processed
- 400 (Bad Request): Invalid request format or parameters
- 401 (Unauthorized): The API key is incorrect or invalid
- 403 (Forbidden): API key lacks required permissions
- 404 (Not Found): Requested resource doesn't exist
- 429 (Rate Limit Exceeded): Too many requests in a short period
- 500 (Server Error): Google Gemini servers are experiencing issues
Refer to the Google Gemini Documentation for more details.