---
updatedAt: 2025-12-02T14:05:13.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.ecartpay.com/llms.txt
---

# API Keys

Start making API calls from both Production and Sandbox Environments.

## What are API Keys?

An *API Key* is a combination of a unique identifier and a password used to identify and authenticate your calls to our API. **It plays a vital role in managing access to the Ecart Pay API**.

Here’s how it works:

* **Authentication**: Every API call requires an *API key* to validate your request and confirm your identity.
* **Authorization**: Depending on your *API key*, specific permissions or access levels may be granted, ensuring secure and controlled usage.

In summary, while public and private keys manage encryption and digital signatures in transactions, API keys serve as your credentials for accessing and interacting with the Ecart Pay API securely.

<Image align="center" border={true} caption="Public Key and Private Key in our Ecart Pay Dashboard." src="https://files.readme.io/0d57948c51cf99c988f514c58899ed1d923ae320125ae290ff3b9dfdd6a105cc-api-keys.png" />