OpenAI API Key Tester
Enter your OpenAI API key below and click 'Test Key' to check if it works. This tool will send a request to OpenAI asking, "Does this key work?" and return a response with an explanation.
💰 Once your key works, estimate what it will cost: try the OpenAI API cost calculator.
🔑 How to Get Your API Key
2. Open API keys (https://platform.openai.com/api-keys)
3. Click 'Create new secret key' and copy it
4. Keys start with sk- (newer project keys start with sk-proj-)
Test Your API Key
🔧 Alternative: cURL Command
You can also test your API key using cURL from your terminal:
curl -sS https://api.openai.com/v1/models -H 'Authorization: Bearer {{KEY}}'
💻 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 OpenAI API key errors
❌ 401
Cause: The key is invalid, revoked, or from a different organization.
Fix: Create a fresh key at platform.openai.com/api-keys and paste the new one.
❌ 429 — "quota"
Cause: Your account has no remaining credit or hit its usage cap.
Fix: Add billing/credit at platform.openai.com/account/billing, then retry.
❌ 429
Cause: Too many requests in a short window (rate limit).
Fix: Wait a few seconds and test again, or raise your rate-limit tier.
🔑 API Key Format Guide
Your OpenAI API key should follow the correct format:
✅ Valid Format
sk-proj-abc123...xyz
Starts with "sk-". Modern keys start with sk-proj-; classic user keys start with sk-. Both work.
❌ Invalid Format
invalid_key_format
Missing required prefix, wrong length, or incorrect format
How to check if your OpenAI API key is working
- Copy your API key from platform.openai.com/api-keys.
- Paste it into the tester above and click Test Key.
- A green result means the key is valid; a red result shows the exact error and fix.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I test my OpenAI API key?
Simply paste your API key into the form above and click "Test Key". Our tool will make a test request to OpenAI 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 OpenAI API key is valid
- Troubleshoot API key-related issues with detailed error messages
- Understand OpenAI 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 OpenAI Responses
This tool handles all OpenAI 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): OpenAI servers are experiencing issues
Refer to the OpenAI Documentation for more details.