Getting started with Google Maps Platform

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This page goes through the basic, required steps to start using any of the APIs and SDKs on Google Maps Platform.

Quickstart

If you have never used the Google Cloud Console to create a billing account or a project, click the Get Started button that links to an interactive setup experience in the Cloud Console for new users:

Get Started

Alternatively, you can also complete the required setup steps by clicking through the following tabs:

Step 1

Console

  1. In the Google Cloud Console, on the project selector page, click Create Project to begin creating a new Cloud project.

    Go to the project selector page

  2. Make sure that billing is enabled for your Cloud project. Confirm that billing is enabled for your project.

    Google Cloud offers a $0.00 charge trial. The trial expires at either end of 90 days or after the account has accrued $300 worth of charges, whichever comes first. Cancel anytime. Google Maps Platform features a recurring $200 monthly credit. For more information, see Billing account credits and Billing.

Cloud SDK

gcloud projects create "PROJECT"

Read more about the Google Cloud SDK , Cloud SDK installation , and the following commands:

Step 2

To use Google Maps Platform, you must enable the APIs or SDKs you plan to use with your project.

Note that some integrations require you to enable multiple APIs/SDKs. If you are not sure which APIs or SDKs to enable, try using the API Picker, or consult the documentation for the API/SDK you want to use.

To enable one or more APIs or SDKs:

Console

  1. See the Google Maps Platform APIs and SDKs that you can enable by going to the Maps API Library page in the Cloud Console:

    Go to the Maps API Library page

  2. Click the API or SDK you want to enable.
    • If the button says ENABLE, click the button to enable the API or SDK.
    • If the button says MANAGE, the API or SDK is already enabled and you don't need to do anything further.
    • Clicking either button will display the dashboard for the API or SDK. (Click the DISABLE button to remove the API or SDK from this project.)

Cloud SDK

gcloud services enable \
    --project "PROJECT" \
    "directions-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "distance-matrix-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "elevation-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "geocoding-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "geolocation.googleapis.com" \
    "maps-android-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "maps-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "maps-embed-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "maps-ios-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "places-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "roads.googleapis.com" \
    "static-maps-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "street-view-image-backend.googleapis.com" \
    "timezone-backend.googleapis.com"

Read more about the Google Cloud SDK , Cloud SDK installation , and the following commands:

Step 3

This step only goes through the API Key creation process. If you use your API Key in production, we strongly recommend that you restrict your API key. You can find more information in the product-specific Using API Keys page.

The API key is a unique identifier that authenticates requests associated with your project for usage and billing purposes. You must have at least one API key associated with your project.

To create an API key:

Console

  1. Go to the Google Maps Platform > Credentials page.

    Go to the Credentials page

  2. On the Credentials page, click Create credentials > API key.
    The API key created dialog displays your newly created API key.
  3. Click Close.
    The new API key is listed on the Credentials page under API keys.
    (Remember to restrict the API key before using it in production.)

Cloud SDK

gcloud alpha services api-keys create \
    --project "PROJECT" \
    --display-name "DISPLAY_NAME"

Read more about the Google Cloud SDK , Cloud SDK installation , and the following commands:

Billing Account Credits

Once you have created a billing account and project you are eligible for the Google Cloud Platform $300 no-charge trial and Google Maps Platform recurring $200 monthly credit. To learn more, see Billing Account Credits.

Next steps

Once you are set up, you can begin using the Google Maps Platform APIs and SDKs. To learn more, see the Overview, Developer, and Get Started guides for the API or SDK you are interested in. The APIs and SDKs are listed at Google Maps Platform Documentation (by product) and Google Maps Platform APIs (by platform).