Coinbase API — how to get keys, cost & limits

✓ Last verified: 2026-07-15· Source: official provider pricing page· Auto-monitored — report change →

Coinbase Advanced Trade gives a clean REST + WebSocket API for spot trading and market data on one of the most regulated exchanges. Here's how to get keys and what it costs.

What the API does & cost

Use	Cost
Market data (REST/WS)	Free
Spot taker fee	~0.4–0.6% (lower at volume)
Spot maker fee	~0.25–0.4%
API access	Free

⚠️ The Coinbase API is free to use — you only pay trading fees on the trades it places. Fees and limits change; confirm on the official docs. Market-data (read-only) endpoints cost nothing. · Report outdated price →

New to Coinbase?

Create an account with our referral link — new users can earn a sign-up bonus. You support APICostCalc (we may earn a small share of fees, at no extra cost to you).

How to get your Coinbase API keys (step by step)

1. Sign up / log in at coinbase.com and finish identity verification.
2. Open Settings → API (Advanced Trade) and click New API Key.
3. Pick the portfolio, set permissions (View / Trade) and add an IP allow-list.
4. Save the API key and secret — the secret is shown once.
5. Use the Advanced Trade endpoints (not the legacy retail API) for trading.

Quick test

# public market data — no key needed
curl "https://api.exchange.coinbase.com/products/BTC-USD/ticker"

Security — read this

Never share your secret — regenerate it if leaked. For data-only bots enable read-only. Always whitelist your server IP and disable withdrawals on API keys unless you truly need them — a leaked withdraw-enabled key can drain your account.

Alternatives

Coinbase fees run higher than offshore venues — for cheaper derivatives see Bybit and OKX; for pure price data CoinGecko.

← All crypto exchange APIs · trade safely — size positions with RektCalc.

Not affiliated with Coinbase. Exchange link is a referral link.