---
type: api
title: Authentication
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4371/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/authentication
resource: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4371/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/authentication
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# Authentication

## Api key (apiKeyAuth)

Elasticsearch APIs support key-based authentication.
You must create an API key and use the encoded value in the request header.
For example:


```
curl -X GET "${ES_URL}/_cat/indices?v=true" \
  -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
```

To get API keys, use the `/_security/api_key` APIs.

```http
Authorization: <value>
```

## Basic (basicAuth)

```http
Authorization: Basic <credentials>
```

## Bearer (bearerAuth)

Elasticsearch APIs support the use of bearer tokens in the `Authorization` HTTP header to authenticate with the API.
For examples, refer to [Token-based authentication services](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/token-authentication-services.html)

```http
Authorization: Bearer <token>
```