Use API Keys with Directions API

Google Maps Platform products are secured from unauthorized use by restricting API calls to those that provide proper authentication credentials. These credentials are in the form of an API key - a unique Alpha numeric string that associates your Google billing account with your project, and with the specific API or SDK.

This guide shows how to create, restrict, and use your API key for Google Maps Platform.

Before you begin

Before you start using the Directions API, you need a project with a billing account and the Directions API enabled. To learn more, seeSet up in Cloud Console.

Creating API keys

The API key is a unique identifier that authenticates requests associated with your project for usage and billing purposes. You must have at least one API key associated with your project.

To create an API key:

Console

  1. Go to theGoogle Maps Platform > Credentialspage.

    Go to the Credentials page

  2. On theCredentialspage, clickCreate credentials > API key.
    TheAPI key createddialog displays your newly created API key.
  3. ClickClose.
    The new API key is listed on theCredentialspage underAPI keys.
    (Remember torestrict the API key before using it in production.)

Cloud SDK

gcloud Alpha services api-keys create \
--project "PROJECT"\
--display-name"DISPLAY_NAME"

Read more about the Google Cloud SDK , Cloud SDK installation ,and the following commands:

Restricting API keys

Google strongly recommends that you restrict your API keys by limiting their usage to those only APIs needed for your application. Restricting API keys adds security to your application by protecting it from unwarranted requests. For more information, see API security best practices.

To restrict an API key:

Console

  1. Go to theGoogle Maps Platform > Credentialspage.

    Go to the Credentials page

  2. Select the API key that you want to set a restriction on. The API key property page appears.
  3. UnderKey restrictions,set the following restrictions:
  • Application restrictions:
  1. To accept requests from the list of web server IP addresses that you supply, select IP addresses (web servers, cron jobs, etc.)from the list of Application restrictions.Specify one or more IPv4 or IPv6 address, or subnet using CIDR notation. The IP addresses must match the source address the Google Maps Platform servers observe. If you use network address translation (NAT), this would typically correspond to your machine'spublicIP address.
  • API restrictions:
    1. ClickRestrict key.
    2. SelectDirections APIfromSelect APIsdropdown. If the Directions API is not listed, you need to enableit.
  • To finalize your changes, clickSave.

    • Cloud SDK

    List existing keys. 

    gcloud services api-keys list --project= "PROJECT"

    Clear existing restrictions on existing key. 

    gcloud Alpha services api-keys update "projects/PROJECT/keys/KEY_ID"\
--clear-restrictions

    Set new restrictions on existing key. 

    gcloud Alpha services api-keys update "projects/PROJECT/keys/KEY_ID"\
--api-target=" directions-backend.googleapis "
--allowed-ips="IP_ADDRESS"

    Read more about the Google Cloud SDK , Cloud SDK installation ,and the following commands:

    Adding the API key to your request

    You must include an API key with every Directions API request. In the following example, replaceYOUR_API_KEYwith your API key.

    https://maps.googleapis /maps/api/directions/json?origin=Toronto&destination=Montreal&key=YOUR_API_KEY

    HTTPS is required for requests that use an API key.