How to get a Groq API key

Get your Groq API key for fast open-weight model inference

Groq (GroqCloud) serves open-weight models through an OpenAI-compatible API. Create a key in the Groq console, then connect it to MultimodelChat as an OpenAI-Compatible provider.

Key prefix:gsk_
Free tier available

GroqCloud offers a free tier with rate limits. Paid usage is billed on demand; confirm the current limits and pricing in the Groq console.

How to get a Groq API key

Sign in to the Groq console, open API Keys, and create a key. Groq's endpoint is OpenAI-compatible, so connect it in MultimodelChat with the base URL https://api.groq.com/openai/v1.

  • Create or sign in to a Groq console account
  • Open API Keys
  • Create a key and copy it once
  • Connect it with base URL https://api.groq.com/openai/v1

Connect it to MultimodelChat

Once you have the required credentials, start your free trial, add this provider in Settings, and save the connection. MultimodelChat encrypts the API key before storing it.

Available models on Multimodel Chat

Groq runs open-weight models (such as Llama, Qwen, and Mistral families) on its own hardware. Add the exact model IDs from the Groq docs.

Step-by-step guide

1

Create a Groq account

Sign up at console.groq.com.

  1. Go to https://console.groq.com
  2. Sign up with Google, GitHub, SSO, or email
  3. Confirm your email if prompted
Source: Groq quickstart
2

Open API Keys

Find the API Keys page in the console.

  1. Open https://console.groq.com/keys
  2. Review any existing keys
Source: GroqCloud API keys
3

Create a key

Generate a new API key.

  1. Click "Create API Key"
  2. Give it a name
  3. Copy the key immediately — it starts with gsk_ and is shown only once

Groq shows the key once. If you lose it, create a new one.

4

Connect it as an OpenAI-Compatible provider

Groq uses the OpenAI request format.

  1. In MultimodelChat, go to Settings → API Keys
  2. Select "OpenAI-Compatible"
  3. Base URL: https://api.groq.com/openai/v1
  4. Paste your Groq API key
  5. Add the model ID from the Groq docs
  6. Save — MultimodelChat tests the key against the endpoint

Common issues

Swipe horizontally to see the full table.

IssueFix
Rate limitedThe free tier has request and token limits — wait for the window to reset or upgrade
Authentication failedRe-copy the gsk_ key with no extra spaces
Model not foundUse the exact model ID from the Groq docs; Groq rotates its model lineup
Connection refusedConfirm the base URL is https://api.groq.com/openai/v1

Frequently asked questions

Is Groq free?

GroqCloud offers a free tier with rate limits, which is enough to test. Heavier production use is billed on demand against your Groq account.

Which base URL should I use?

Use https://api.groq.com/openai/v1 as the OpenAI-Compatible base URL in MultimodelChat.

Provider requirements and pricing last reviewed October 10, 2026. Check the linked provider documentation for current terms before purchasing credits.

Ready to connect your Groq key?

Paste your API key and Multimodel Chat tests it live against the provider before saving. The key is encrypted in this browser's vault and used only for your requests.

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Saved keys are per device; browser compromise can expose them.

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