---
"@context": https://schema.org
"@type": TechArticle
"@id": https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-is-an-api-key#article
headline: API Key
description: An Application Programming Interface (API) Key is a unique identifier that is used to authenticate a developer or program to an API.
url: https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-is-an-api-key
inLanguage: en
dateModified: 2025-09-25T15:07:37.000Z
author:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio Developer Education Team
publisher:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio
---

# API Key

An Application Programming Interface (API) Key is a unique identifier that is used to authenticate a developer or program to an API.

## How do API Keys differ from Account credentials?

When you create a Twilio Account, Twilio generates an [Account SID (String IDentifier)](/docs/glossary/what-is-a-sid) and an Auth Token. These are your Account API credentials. Any time you share these credentials, say with a colleague, you increase the risk of those credentials becoming compromised. Luckily, Twilio also allows you to authenticate using API Keys.

API Keys are the preferred way to authenticate to Twilio's services.

## Learn more

Check out the [API Keys Overview page](/docs/iam/api-keys) to learn about the types of API Keys that Twilio offers and how to create and delete API Keys

Read the ["Make an HTTP Request to Twilio" doc](/docs/usage/requests-to-twilio) to learn how to authenticate your requests with API Keys.