Why am I getting 403 'API access requires a Pro plan or higher'?

Q: Why am I getting 403 'API access requires a Pro plan or higher'?

This 403 is code API_ACCESS_REQUIRED . It means the key is not a free developer key. A signed-in free account with a verified email can create one developer key, and that key is not refused for being free.

This 403 is code API_ACCESS_REQUIRED. It means the key is not a free developer key. A signed-in free account with a verified email can create one developer key, and that key is not refused for being free.

Last updated November 9, 2026

Fix

If this key is left from a paid plan, create a developer key on the API keys page, or return to a paid plan. A second developer key is refused until you revoke the first. An unverified email gets 403 EMAIL_NOT_VERIFIED instead.

Scoring on a free account

A free developer key can call evaluate, score and chat. It returns the free verdict and spends the 30 monthly credits. The default cap is 2 requests a second, 6 a minute, 30 an hour and 40 a day. Paste Check and signed-in chat do not use the key.

A similar 403

API_ACCESS_DISABLED means API access is off on a paid plan. That switch does not turn a free developer key off. See How to turn API access on or off.