---
title: Using OpenRouter API Key in LobeChat
description: >-
  Learn how to integrate and utilize OpenRouter's language model APIs in
  LobeChat. Follow these steps to register, create an API key, recharge credit,
  and configure OpenRouter for seamless conversations.
tags:
  - OpenRouter
  - LobeChat
  - API Key
  - Web UI
---

# Using OpenRouter in LobeChat

<Image
  alt={'Using OpenRouter in LobeChat'}
  cover
  src={'https://github.com/lobehub/lobe-chat/assets/34400653/40520a43-ac03-4954-8a4d-282fbb946066'}
/>

[OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai/) is a service that provides a variety of excellent large language model APIs, supporting models such as OpenAI (including GPT-3.5/4), Anthropic (Claude2, Instant), LLaMA 2, and PaLM Bison.

This document will guide you on how to use OpenRouter in LobeChat:

<Steps>

### Step 1: Register and Log in to OpenRouter

- Visit [OpenRouter.ai](https://openrouter.ai/) and create an account
- You can log in using your Google account or MetaMask wallet

<Image
  alt={'Register OpenRouter'}
  height={457}
  inStep
  src={'https://github.com/lobehub/lobe-chat/assets/34400653/a024af40-e1d9-4df0-b998-0e6e87cebe5b'}
/>

### Step 2: Create an API Key

- Go to the `Keys` menu or visit [OpenRouter Keys](https://openrouter.ai/keys) directly
- Click on `Create Key` to start the creation process
- Name your API key in the pop-up dialog, for example, "LobeChat Key"
- Leave the `Credit limit` blank to indicate no amount limit

<Image
  alt={'Create OpenRouter Key'}
  height={460}
  inStep
  src={'https://github.com/lobehub/lobe-chat/assets/34400653/094d701f-ce80-464a-bbbc-0a5ecc8d08e3'}
/>

- Copy the API key from the pop-up dialog and save it securely

<Image
  alt={'Get OpenRouter Key'}
  height={519}
  inStep
  src={'https://github.com/lobehub/lobe-chat/assets/34400653/7a012a11-87bd-4366-a567-0ebf6d12ae10'}
/>

<Callout type={'warning'}>
  Please store the key securely as it will only appear once. If you lose it accidentally, you will
  need to create a new key.
</Callout>

### Step 3: Recharge Credit

- Go to the `Credit` menu or visit [OpenRouter Credit](https://openrouter.ai/credits) directly
- Click on `Manage Credits` to recharge your credit, you can check model prices at [https://openrouter.ai/models](https://openrouter.ai/models)
- OpenRouter provides some free models that can be used without recharging

<Image
  alt={'Recharge OpenRouter Credit'}
  height={385}
  inStep
  src={'https://github.com/lobehub/lobe-chat/assets/34400653/50b73232-01fc-4ef0-939a-3e06354d1b5a'}
/>

### Step 4: Configure OpenRouter in LobeChat

- Visit the `Settings` interface in LobeChat
- Find the setting for `OpenRouter` under `Language Models`
- Enable OpenRouter and enter the API key you obtained

<Image
  alt={'Configure OpenRouter in LobeChat'}
  height={518}
  inStep
  src={'https://github.com/lobehub/lobe-chat/assets/34400653/5c3898ab-23d7-44c2-bbd9-b255e25e400c'}
/>

- Choose an OpenRouter model for your assistant to start the conversation

<Image
  alt={'Use OpenRouter model'}
  height={518}
  inStep
  src={'https://github.com/lobehub/lobe-chat/assets/34400653/77b5feee-3f46-486d-9a36-31ff60efa5e9'}
/>

<Callout type={'warning'}>
  You may need to pay the API service provider during usage, please refer to OpenRouter's relevant
  fee policies.
</Callout>

</Steps>

You can now engage in conversations using the models provided by OpenRouter in LobeChat.
