Authentication

Authenticate with the API via an API key or token.

To authenticate with the Roboflow API, you need an API key. You can obtain an API key using our web application or via our token issuance flow, supported by the CLI and Python package.

Recommended Authentication Flows

In a Production Application

If you are using Roboflow in a production application (i.e. scripts, a web application, an API), we recommend using your API key to authenticate with Roboflow.

In a Notebook

If you are using our Python SDK in a notebook, we recommend authenticating using the Token Issuance flow documented below.

Retrieve an API Key

You can retrieve an API key from your Roboflow settings.

First, go to the Roboflow dashboard. Then, select the "Roboflow API" tab from the Settings dropdown.

In your workspace, you should see a settings button with a dropdown.

Finally, copy your Private API Key

Be sure to keep this secret. Treat it like a password; it grants the bearer access to all of your workspace's data and models.

Copy your API Key.

If you ever accidentally expose your key to someone who isn't authorized to access your workspace, click "Revoke API Key". Your API key will be disabled immediately. You can then create a new one.

Create a New API Key

You should already have an API Key automatically generated for you. If you revoked your API key, you can always create a new one using the "Generate Private API Key" button that appears if you do not already have one.

Token Issuance Flow

The Roboflow CLI and Python package support token issuance, a convenient way to grant an API key. When you authenticate with roboflow.login() in Python, or roboflow auth in the CLI, you will be given a URL to a page through which you can issue a token to access a workspace.

You will be asked to select a workspace, then given a token for use in the Python package or CLI.

Retrieving a token via the token issuance flow.