How To Get ChatGPT API Key? A Step-by-Step Guide
Tags: javascript, chatgpt, beginners, webdev
Published: 2023-08-09 03:53:07

As developers, we often face the challenge of enabling seamless communication between our applications and advanced language model. The ChatGPT API key is here to unlock the potential of OpenAI’s cutting-edge natural language processing capabilities. To access this API, you’ll need a `ChatGPT` API key. 

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore:

*   What is ChatGPT API key?
*   How to get API key
*   How to use API key in JavaScript
*   ChatGPT Plus and API pricing
*   Rate limit
*   Usage limit
*   Troubleshooting issues

Let’s get started!

## What is ChatGPT API key?

The `ChatGPT` API key is a unique identifier that grants access to the ChatGPT API service. It acts as a security token, allowing secure communication between your application and the `OpenAI` servers. To maintain the confidentiality of your data and usage, it’s essential to understand the role of the API key.

## Getting ChatGPT API Key

Before diving into the technical aspects, you’ll need to sign up and register on the `OpenAI` platform. 

### Step 1: Sign up

Sign up for Chat GPT from URL https://platform.openai.com/signup?launch

You can sign up using your email address or you can use your existing `Google`, `Microsoft`, or `Apple` account.

![ChatGPT Sign up](https://i0.wp.com/www.rajamsr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ChatGPT-Sign-up.png)

### Step 2: View API Keys
Once sign up completed, you will be redirected to `OpenAI` dashboard https://platform.openai.com/

![Select View API Keys](https://i0.wp.com/www.rajamsr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Select-View-API-Keys.webp?ssl=1)

### Step 3: Create new ChatGPT API Key

Once you click on View API Keys, it will display **API Keys** page**.** 

Click **Create new secret key** button. It will display a popup, where you have to enter optional name.

Click **Create secret key** button. It will display unique alphanumeric ChatGPT API Key. Save this ChatGPT secret key somewhere safe. 

![ChatGPT API Keys](https://i0.wp.com/www.rajamsr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Chat-GPT-API-Keys.gif?ssl=1)

> API Key ChatGPT API key is common for all models, you no need to create separate key for each one.

How to fetch all models with ChatGPT API key using JavaScript
-------------------------------------------------------------

Let’s see how to use the `ChatGPT` API key to access all the models available in the ChatGPT platform.

The following [JavaScript](https://www.rajamsr.com/tag/javascript) code sends a request to [https://api.openai.com/v1/models](https://api.openai.com/v1/models) and receives a list of models in JSON format. 
```
var myHeaders = new Headers();
myHeaders.append("Authorization", "Bearer <API KEY>");

var requestOptions = {
  method: 'GET',
  headers: myHeaders,
  redirect: 'follow'
};

fetch("https://api.openai.com/v1/models", requestOptions)
  .then(response => response.text())
  .then(result => console.log(result))
  .catch(error => console.log('error', error));
```

To run the code above, you need to enter your **ChatGPT API key** that you obtained in the previous step instead of **&lt;API KEY&gt;**.

If the JavaScript fetch call is successful, you will get a JSON response like this. (only showing part of the response)

```
{
  "object": "list",
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "text-davinci-001",
      "object": "model",
      "created": 1649364042,
      "owned_by": "openai",
      "permission": [
        {
          "id": "modelperm-CDlahk1RbkghXDjtxqzXoPNo",
          "object": "model_permission",
          "created": 1690913868,
          "allow_create_engine": false,
          "allow_sampling": true,
          "allow_logprobs": true,
          "allow_search_indices": false,
          "allow_view": true,
          "allow_fine_tuning": false,
          "organization": "*",
          "group": null,
          "is_blocking": false
        }
      ],
      "root": "text-davinci-001",
      "parent": null
    },
    
    .
    .
    .

```


Subscription plans and pricing tiers
------------------------------------

`ChatGPT` offer a variety of models that suit different needs and budgets. The cost is based on the number of tokens you use, which are segments of words. For example, 1,000 `tokens` would be roughly equivalent to 750 words.

If you want to use ChatGPT, you need to pay for two things: the `ChatGPT API` and the `ChatGPT Plus` subscription. The ChatGPT API lets you access the chatbot engine from any platform, and its price depends on how much you use it. 

The ChatGPT Plus subscription is for using the chatbot on chat.openai.com, and it costs $20/month. This is a fixed fee that does not depend on your usage. 

You can check the detailed [price details](https://openai.com/pricing) at the OpenAI site. 

![ChatGPT Cost](https://i0.wp.com/www.rajamsr.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ChatGPT-Pricing.gif?ssl=1)


`ChatGPT` has some rate limits to ensure fair and efficient use of the service. Rate limits are based on the number of requests per minute, the number of characters per request, and the mode of the chat. Rate limits are measured in three ways:

1.  RPM (requests per minute)
2.  RPD (requests per day)
3.  TPM (tokens per minute)

Rate limits are enforced at the organizational level. Even if you are using it for personal, it comes under the default “Personal” organization. Read more about at [rate limits guide](https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/rate-limits). 

To control your costs, you can apply usage limits to your account. This will help you monitor your spending and avoid unexpected charges. When you reach these limits, you will receive notification emails to inform the owners of your organization. 

However, this feature is only accessible to users with paid plans.

Troubleshooting ChatGPT API Issues
----------------------------------

If a you exceeds the rate limit, you will receive an error message and will not be able to chat until the next minute. You can check your current usage and limit status on the ChatGPT website.

## Conclusion
With a clear understanding of the pricing and billing aspects of the `ChatGPT` API key, you can confidently integrate AI-powered language processing into your applications. By choosing the right subscription plan, grasping billing cycles, and adopting smart usage monitoring, you can harness the full potential of OpenAI’s `ChatGPT` API without exceeding your budget. 

Empower your applications with state-of-the-art natural language processing, driving innovation and delighting users in the process!