API Keys

We use API Keys to identify requests with your account. They are a 32 character identifier, made of letters and numbers.

You can find and manage your API Key by signing in to your Thunderforest account.

As standard, we provide you with one API Key. You can request multiple API Keys if you are on a paid plan.

Why do we use API Keys?

We use API Keys, in addition to information such as IP addresses, HTTP Referer and User-Agent headers, to associate requests with your account.

In some cases, it’s hard for developers to control the User-Agent headers sent by their mapping framework. In others, the Referer information is unreliable and limited as well. By using API Keys we circumvent these problems.

Using your API Key

To get started, sign in to your Thunderforest account. Your API Key is shown on the Dashboard.

Add your key to the end of the URL in your application or website configuration, for example:

https://api.thunderforest.com/outdoors/{z}/{x}/{y}.png?apikey=<insert-your-apikey-here>

A list of example URLs are shown on your dashboard using your API Key.

If you don’t already have a Thunderforest account, get started today.

Requesting multiple API Keys

You can request multiple API Keys if you are on a paid plan.

This is useful if you want to track usage separately across different clients or monitor projects independently.

Rotating your API Key

You can ask us at any time to rotate your API Key.

Please contact our support team with any questions.