Getting a Gemini API Key

Setup
How to obtain a Gemini API key from Google AI Studio for course assignments.
Published

January 1, 2026

Getting a Gemini API Key

Creating with AI in the Loop — Google AI Studio setup

This guide shows you how to get a Gemini API key using Google AI Studio. You’ll need this for assignments that interact with Gemini models.

What you need

  • A personal Google account (Gmail or Google Workspace)

Step-by-step: Get your API key

  1. Sign in to your personal Google account (not your .edu account), then go to https://aistudio.google.com.

  2. If prompted, accept the Terms of Service.

  3. Click Get API key in the left sidebar.

  4. Click the Create API key button (upper right).

  5. Enter a name for your key (e.g., myFirstGeminiKey).

  6. Under Choose an imported project, click + Create a new project and name it (e.g., AI in the Loop). You may need to re-enter the key name after creating the project.

  7. Click Create. Initially you do not need to set up billing.

  8. Click the copy icon to copy your API key. Store it immediately (see next section).

Storing your API key securely

If you don’t have an assignment yet: Save your API key somewhere safe (e.g., a password manager or private notes app). You’ll add it to a .env file when you start your first assignment that needs it.

When working on an assignment: Store your key in a .env file in your repo:

  1. Create a file named .env in your assignment repo (note the leading dot)

  2. Add your key:

    GEMINI_API_KEY=your-api-key-here

  3. Verify .env is in your .gitignore (it should be by default)

Your code will load the key from this file using a library like python-dotenv.

Never commit your API key to Git.

If your API key is compromised

If you suspect your API key has been compromised (e.g., accidentally pushed to GitHub or shared publicly):

  1. Go to https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
  2. Click the Create API key button to generate a new key
  3. Follow steps 5-8 above to create and copy your new key
  4. Update your .env file with the new key
  5. Test that your code works with the new key
  6. Return to the API keys page and click the delete icon (trash can) next to your old, compromised key

Always delete the old key to ensure the compromised key can’t be used.

Retrieving your API key later

If you need to copy your key again, go to https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey and click the copy icon next to your key.

Free tier limits

Google AI Studio provides a free tier with rate limits:

  • If you exceed limits, you’ll get a rate limit error (not a charge)
  • You are likely to reach this limit during normal assignment work
  • If you need more usage (you will), you can upgrade to a paid plan in Google AI Studio
  • Currently, when you upgrade, you get $300 free credit for the first 90 days
  • You will need to add billing information to upgrade
  • See current limits: https://ai.google.dev/pricing

Troubleshooting

“API key not valid” errors

  • Make sure you copied the entire key (no extra spaces)
  • Verify your .env file has the correct variable name (check the assignment README)
  • Ensure .env is in the same directory as your Python script (or follow the assignment’s instructions)

Can’t access Google AI Studio

  • Use a personal Google account, not your .edu account
  • Try a different browser or incognito mode
  • Clear your browser cache and cookies

Rate limit exceeded

  • Wait a few minutes and try again
  • If persistent, check that you’re not making requests in a loop by accident

Resources

If you’re stuck, include these in your help request

  • The exact error message you’re seeing
  • Confirmation that your .env file exists and is in the correct location
  • The contents of your .env file (with the actual key replaced by xxx)
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