# Authentication

You will need an API key to use our API. If you don't have an hive.one account click here to sign up for one: 

Once you've signed up (or if you already had an account) click here to get your API key

To use your API key you must set the `Authorization` HTTP header like so:

```
Authorization: Token <YOURAPIKEY>
```

## Rate Limits

To ensure a consistent experience for all API users, our endpoints are rate limited.

When making requests with an API key you are allowed to make **2 requests per second**

If you exceed your rate limit all requests will return with a `420` status code.

### Tips to avoid being Rate Limited

#### Caching

We recommend to cache our data in your applications to ensure you are not requesting the same data unnecessarily&#x20;

Our data updates every 24 hours.

#### ETags

Our endpoints will return with an `ETag` in the HTTP headers. We recommend using this `ETag` to check if your data needs a refresh when updating your cache.

Find out more[ here](https://docs.hive.one/using-etags)