Buy Claude API credits: prepaid access on CAK
Prepaid credits fund metered API usage through a credit-based access group. They are separate from a timed Claude Unlimited plan and from credits purchased directly from Anthropic.
Reviewed 2026-10-10 · Claude API documentation
What you are buying
You add balance to your CAK account and use a key assigned to an eligible metered group. The cost of a call depends on the model, the billed input/output usage and the pricing rules for that group. Cached input, long-context pricing and other categories can have separate rates where supported.
Do not assume a dollar of balance buys a fixed number of tokens across every model. Read the current rates and the usage record for your chosen group. The calculator accepts your own rates and excludes charges that are not included in its inputs.
How to top up and connect
- Create or sign in to your CAK account and complete verification.
- Open Top up and review the currently available credit and payment options.
- Check the actual amount credited, payment currency and any fees before confirming the order. Count a bonus only if the checkout explicitly applies it.
- After payment is confirmed, create an API key for the metered group. List models and send a small request using the API starter.
- Review the resulting usage entry and account balance before starting a larger workload.
Credits or a timed plan?
Credits can suit infrequent calls and workloads spread over time. A timed plan can suit concentrated usage within its active period. The same website supports both, but the API key’s group determines which access path it uses.
A timed plan does not refill your prepaid balance. Conversely, holding a balance does not mean your expired subscription key is configured for metered access. Select the appropriate group deliberately.
If balance or access looks wrong
Compare the confirmed order, credited balance and key group. Avoid repeatedly submitting checkout while a payment is pending. If you need help, provide the order ID, request ID and timestamp through your normal support channel. Keep the API key and payment credentials private.
CAK credits are for this independent gateway. They cannot be redeemed as Anthropic Console credit or a Claude.ai subscription.
Claude API is an independent gateway and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic. Claude and Anthropic are trademarks of their respective owners.