> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://starlight.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authentication

> Learn how to authenticate your request

The TMDB API supports two types of authentication. **API keys** and a **Bearer token** authentication.

You can only choose one out of the two.

## How to Use API Key

To use an API key to authenticate your request, you need to get your API keys. Follow these steps to get your API keys.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Step 1">
    Navigate to your [dashboard](https://www.themoviedb.org/settings/api).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 2">
    Scroll through the ‘Settings’ section at the left side of the page and click ‘API’.

    ![](https://content.pstmn.io/5669d69e-9888-443f-9939-4dfdecad739a/QXBpLnBuZw==)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 3">
    Scroll down and get your API keys in the ‘API Keys’ section.

    ![](https://content.pstmn.io/295b8af7-24b2-4b9c-a117-ff03a582d54a/QVBJIEtleS5wbmc=)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 4">
    After you have gotten your⁣⁣`API Key`, set your`Authorization-header` as `API Key`.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter your`API Key` In the value section.

    <Warning>
      Your API key contains sensitive information; therefore, you must keep it secured
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## [​](https://starlight.mintlify.app/api-reference/authentication#how-to-use-bearer-token)

## How To Use Bearer Token

To use the bearer token to authenticate your request, you need to get your access token.

Follow these steps to get an access token:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Step 1">
    Scroll to your account dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 2">
    Scroll through the ‘Settings’ section at the left side of the page and click ‘API’.

    ![](https://content.pstmn.io/5607c227-ee03-4ba9-a8f5-314fa87db9de/QXBpLnBuZw==)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 3">
    Scroll down and get your Access token in the ‘API Read Access Token’ section.

    ![](https://content.pstmn.io/a558441d-844f-4a58-a6dd-df140d651805/cmVhZC5wbmc=)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 4">
    After you have gotten your⁣⁣ `Access-token`, set your`Authorization-header` as `Bearer Token`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 5">
    Enter your `Access Token`in the value section.

    <Warning>
      Your Access token contains sensitive information; therefore, you must keep it secured.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Things you need to know:

  * You can’t access the API registration page with a mobile device. You can only access the page using a desktop computer and browser.
  * Before you can be issued an API key, you need to accept our terms of use. You can read that [here](https://www.themoviedb.org/api-terms-of-use).
</Note>