How to find my API key on Binance

Understanding API Keys on Binance

An API key on Binance allows users to connect their accounts to third-party applications, trading bots, or automated systems without sharing their login credentials. These keys act as secure access tokens that grant specific permissions based on user-defined settings. Each API key is paired with a secret key, which is used to sign requests and ensure secure communication between Binance and external services. It's crucial to treat both the API and secret keys with high security, as they can control funds and trading activities depending on the permissions granted.

Binance supports multiple API keys per account, enabling users to create different keys for different purposes—such as one for read-only analytics and another for trading. When you generate an API key, you have the ability to restrict its access by enabling or disabling features like spot trading, futures trading, withdrawals, and margin trading. This granular control helps minimize risk in case a key is compromised.

Accessing the Binance User Dashboard

To begin locating or creating your API key, you must first log in to your Binance account. Navigate to the official Binance website using a trusted browser and enter your registered email and password. After logging in, ensure that two-factor authentication (2FA) is active to protect your session. Once inside your dashboard, look for your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Clicking it will reveal a dropdown menu.

From this menu, select 'API Management'. This section is where all API-related activities are handled, including creating new keys, viewing existing ones, and modifying permissions. If you have previously created API keys, they will be listed here with partial visibility of the key strings for security reasons. The full keys are only shown at the time of creation or when revealed using your account password and 2FA.

Creating a New API Key

If you haven’t created an API key yet, you’ll need to generate one. In the API Management section, click the 'Create API' button. A pop-up window will appear prompting you to enter your account password and complete a 2FA verification using your authenticator app or email. This step ensures that only authorized users can generate access keys.

After successful verification, you’ll be asked to enter a label for your API key. This label helps you identify the purpose of the key later (e.g., “Trading Bot” or “Portfolio Tracker”). Once labeled, you can configure permissions:

• Enable Trading: Allows the API to place and cancel orders.
• Enable Withdrawals: Permits fund withdrawals—this should be disabled unless absolutely necessary.
• Enable Margin Trading: Grants access to margin accounts.
• Enable Futures Trading: Allows interaction with futures contracts.

It is highly recommended to disable withdrawal permissions unless required. After setting the desired permissions, click 'Create'. Binance will generate both the API Key and Secret Key.

Viewing and Managing Existing API Keys

After creation, your API key will appear in the list under API Management. The displayed key will show only the first few and last few characters, with the middle masked. To view the full API key, click the eye icon next to it. You’ll be prompted to re-enter your account password and complete 2FA again. The full API key will then be temporarily revealed.

The Secret Key, however, is only shown once during creation. If you did not save it at that time, it cannot be retrieved. You will need to delete the old key and create a new one. To delete a key, click the trash icon, confirm with your password and 2FA, and the key will be permanently removed.

You can also edit IP restrictions for added security. By specifying allowed IP addresses, you limit where the API key can be used from. If an API request comes from an unauthorized IP, it will be rejected. This feature is especially useful for server-based bots or institutional setups.

Securing Your API Keys

Security is paramount when handling API keys. Never share your API Key or Secret Key via email, chat, or unsecured platforms. Store them in encrypted password managers or offline storage. Avoid hardcoding keys into scripts that are shared publicly, such as on GitHub.

Always monitor the usage logs available in the API Management section. Binance provides activity logs showing recent API calls, including timestamps and endpoints accessed. Unusual activity may indicate a compromised key, in which case you should revoke the key immediately.

Use strong labels and maintain a record of which applications use which keys. Rotate keys periodically by creating new ones and deactivating old ones. This practice reduces the risk of long-term exposure.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Users often encounter issues when the API returns errors like 'Invalid API key' or 'Signature mismatch'. These typically occur due to incorrect copying of the key or secret, or timezone discrepancies in request timestamps. Ensure your system clock is synchronized with NTP servers.

If an API request is rejected due to IP restriction, verify that your current IP address matches the one configured in the API settings. Dynamic IPs from ISPs may change, requiring updates to the allowed IP list.

Another frequent problem is permission denial. For example, attempting to place a futures trade with a key that only has spot trading enabled will fail. Double-check the permission settings in the API Management dashboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover my Secret Key if I lost it?No, Binance does not store your Secret Key after creation. If you did not save it during the initial setup, it cannot be retrieved. You must delete the existing API key and generate a new one with a new secret.

Why is my API request being rejected even with the correct key?This may be due to IP restrictions. If you enabled IP access control, ensure your current IP address is on the allowed list. Also verify that your system time is accurate, as Binance requires timestamps within a 30-second window.

Is it safe to give my API key to a trading bot service?Only if you disable withdrawal permissions and trust the service. Always use a dedicated API key for third-party tools and monitor its activity regularly. Avoid granting unnecessary permissions.

How many API keys can I create on Binance?Binance allows users to create up to 5 API keys per account. Each key can have different permissions and IP restrictions, allowing for flexible and secure management across multiple applications.