Skip to main content

Authorize.net: How to Obtain the API Login ID and Transaction Key

Bill Summa
  • Updated

API Login ID
The API Login ID is a complex value that identifies your account to the payment gateway when submitting transaction requests from your website. The API Login ID is at least eight characters in length, includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and/or symbols.

To obtain the API Login ID:

  1. Log into your Merchant Interface.
  2. Click Account from the main toolbar.
  3. Click Settings in the main left-side menu.
  4. Click API Credentials & Keys.

Your API Login ID is displayed on the page if one has been generated already.

IMPORTANT: The API Login ID is sensitive account information and should only be shared on a need-to-know basis, for example with your Web developer for the purposes of integration with the payment gateway.

Transaction Key
The Transaction Key is a 16-character alphanumeric value that is randomly generated in the Merchant Interface and is used as an additional layer of authentication when submitting transaction requests from your website.

To obtain the Transaction Key:

  1. Log into the Merchant Interface.
  2. Click Account from the main toolbar.
  3. Click Settings in the main left-side menu.
  4. Click API Credentials & Keys.
  5. Select New Transaction Key.
  6. To disable the old Transaction Key, click the check box labeled Disable Old Transaction Key Immediately.
    (Note: If the Disable Old Transaction Key Immediately check box is not selected, the old transaction key will automatically expire in 24 hours.)
  7. Click Submit and follow instructions to request a verification PIN.
  8. Click Request PIN to have PIN sent to your email.
  9. Obtain PIN from email and enter that PIN back on the Authorize.Net page and click Verify Pin.

IMPORTANT: The Transaction Key will not be visible at any other time in the Merchant Interface. You must record it temporarily or copy and paste it to a secure file location immediately. Like the API Login ID, the Transaction Key is sensitive account information and should only be shared on a need-to-know basis, for example with your Web developer for the purposes of integration with the payment gateway.

Related articles