How to generate API key for integrations on Squarespace

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

To generate an API key on Squarespace, navigate to Settings > Advanced > API Keys, then click 'Generate API Key' and configure permissions. This requires a Business or Commerce plan and allows third-party integrations to access your site data.

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Prerequisites

Active Squarespace website
Business or Commerce plan subscription
Admin access to your Squarespace site
Basic understanding of API integrations

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access your Squarespace site settings

Log into your Squarespace account and select your website from the dashboard. Click on Settings in the left sidebar menu. This will open the main settings panel for your site.

Make sure you're logged in as the site owner or have admin privileges to access API settings.

Navigate to Advanced settings

In the Settings menu, scroll down and click on Advanced. This section contains developer tools and API management options. Look for the API Keys option in the Advanced settings submenu.

If you don't see the Advanced section, verify that your site is on a Business or Commerce plan as API access requires these paid plans.

Open API Keys management

Click on API Keys from the Advanced settings menu. This will display your current API keys (if any) and provide options to create new ones. The interface shows active keys, their permissions, and usage statistics.

Generate a new API key

Click the Generate API Key button. A dialog box will appear asking you to name your API key and set permissions. Enter a descriptive name like Third-party Integration or Analytics Tool to help identify the key's purpose later.

Use descriptive names that clearly indicate which service or integration will use each API key.

Configure API permissions

Select the appropriate permissions for your integration:

Read - Allows retrieving data from your site
Write - Allows modifying content and data
Commerce - Grants access to order and product data

Choose the minimum permissions needed for your specific integration to maintain security.

Start with read-only permissions and upgrade only if your integration specifically requires write access.

Save and copy your API key

Click Save to generate the key. Squarespace will display your new API key once - copy it immediately using the Copy button. Store this key securely as it won't be shown again. The key format will look like: sq-api-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Save the API key in a secure password manager immediately - Squarespace only displays it once for security reasons.

Test your API connection

Verify your API key works by making a test request to https://api.squarespace.com/1.0/commerce/orders with your key in the Authorization header: Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY. You should receive a response confirming the connection is working.

Use tools like Postman or curl to test your API key before implementing it in your integration.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

API Keys option not visible in Advanced settings

Upgrade to a Business or Commerce plan. API access is not available on Personal plans. Go to Settings > Billing to upgrade your subscription.

API key returns 401 Unauthorized error

Verify the key is correctly formatted in your Authorization header as Bearer YOUR_API_KEY. Check that your key has the necessary permissions for the endpoint you're accessing.

Generated API key was lost or not copied

Delete the existing key from the API Keys panel and generate a new one. For security, Squarespace doesn't store or display keys after initial generation.

Integration receiving empty or limited data

Review and expand your API key permissions in Settings > Advanced > API Keys. Edit the key to include Read or Commerce permissions as needed for your integration.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Squarespace website before purchasing.

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