KuCoin API — how to get keys, cost & limits

✓ Last verified: 2026-08-15· Source: official provider pricing page· Auto-monitored — report change →

KuCoin lists a very wide range of altcoins and exposes a full REST + WebSocket API for spot and futures. 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	~0.1% (less with KCS)
Futures taker	~0.06%
API access	Free

⚠️ The KuCoin 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 · Report outdated price →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 KuCoin?

Create an account with our referral link — new users often get a trading-fee discount. You support APICostCalc at no extra cost to you.

New to KuCoin?

Create an account with our referral link. You support APICostCalc (we may earn a small share of fees, at no extra cost to you).

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

1. Sign up / log in at kucoin.com and complete verification.
2. Open API Management from the account menu and click Create API.
3. Set a passphrase, choose permissions (General / Spot / Futures) and an IP allow-list.
4. Copy the Key, Secret and Passphrase — all three are needed to sign requests.
5. Keep withdrawals disabled on trading keys.

Quick test

# public market data — no key needed
curl "https://api.kucoin.com/api/v1/market/orderbook/level1?symbol=BTC-USDT"

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

For deeper liquidity on majors see Binance and OKX; KuCoin shines for long-tail altcoins.

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

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