> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.coingecko.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting Up Your API Key

> Create an API key and start making requests

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign up">
    **👋 New to CoinGecko API?**<br />Create an account at [coingecko.com/en/api/pricing](https://www.coingecko.com/en/api/pricing).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your API key">
    Go to the [Developer Dashboard](https://www.coingecko.com/en/developers/dashboard) and click **+ Add New Key**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/coingecko/i9l2MT4etZGYjSx8/assets/images/add-new-key.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=i9l2MT4etZGYjSx8&q=85&s=1797176e930bf2d10181a7c56a72638a" width="2664" height="1450" data-path="assets/images/add-new-key.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    Follow the authentication guide for your plan:

    <CardGroup cols={2}>
      <Card title="Pro API Authentication" icon="bolt" href="/reference/authentication" arrow="true">
        For paid plan users — Basic, Analyst, Lite, Pro, Pro+, and Enterprise.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Demo API Authentication" icon="code" href="/demo/reference/authentication" arrow="true">
        For free Demo plan users.
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>
  </Step>
</Steps>


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