IG API GET /session/encryptionKey

GET/session/encryptionKeyversion 1Session

Fetch the key and timestamp used to send a password in encrypted form when logging in. Only some logins need it.

Risk warning: CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You can lose money on these products, and each provider publishes its own loss figure under FCA rules. You should consider whether you understand how they work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Automated and API trading can amplify losses through bugs, connectivity failures and runaway orders.

Independent and unofficiallabs.ig.comchecked 12 Oct 2026

The method, path, version and response fields were read on IG's own reference page on 12 Oct 2026. The page lists no request headers and does not say whether session tokens are needed, so only the API key and version headers from IG's REST trading API guide are recorded. The page's own description repeats the login wording.

Parameters

Name	In	Type	Description
VERSIONrequired	header	string	Endpoint version. Send 1.

Authentication headers

Name	Type	Description
X-IG-API-KEYrequired	string	Your API key, from your IG account settings. Placeholder only here.

Request

Written from the method, path and parameters recorded on this page, against the demo host. Not executed against a live or demo account. Credentials are read from environment variables on your own machine and are never entered on this site. The request builder writes these same snippets, from the same record.

Python

# Set IG_API_KEY as an environment variable first. Never paste real values into code.
import os
import requests

BASE_URL = "https://demo-api.ig.com/gateway/deal"  # the demo host
headers = {
    "X-IG-API-KEY": os.environ["IG_API_KEY"],
    "VERSION": "1",
}
resp = requests.get(BASE_URL + "/session/encryptionKey", headers=headers, timeout=10)
resp.raise_for_status()
print(resp.json())

JavaScript

// Set IG_API_KEY as an environment variable first. Never paste real values into code.
// Run as a module, for example a .mjs file, on a Node version that has fetch built in.
const BASE_URL = "https://demo-api.ig.com/gateway/deal"; // the demo host
const res = await fetch(BASE_URL + "/session/encryptionKey", {
  method: "GET",
  headers: {
    "X-IG-API-KEY": process.env.IG_API_KEY,
    "VERSION": "1",
  },
});
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`HTTP ${res.status}`);
console.log(await res.json());

curl

# Set IG_API_KEY as an environment variable first. Never paste real values into code.
curl -X GET "https://demo-api.ig.com/gateway/deal/session/encryptionKey" \
  -H "X-IG-API-KEY: $IG_API_KEY" \
  -H "VERSION: 1"

Response

A mock response. The values are invented, so check field names against the official reference.

{
  "_mock": true,
  "encryptionKey": "MOCK-BASE64-KEY",
  "timeStamp": 1789718400000
}

Limits that apply at IG

Limit	Value	Scope	Source
Historical price data points a week	10,000	Per account, price history endpoints only	labs.ig.comchecked 12 Oct 2026
Non trading requests a minute	30	Per account, non trading calls only	labs.ig.comchecked 12 Oct 2026
Non trading requests a minute	60	Per application, that is per API key, non trading calls only	labs.ig.comchecked 12 Oct 2026
Concurrent streaming subscriptions	40	Per streaming connection	labs.ig.comchecked 12 Oct 2026corroborated by labs.ig.com/streaming-api-guide.html
Trading requests a minute	100Sources conflict ig.com states around 40, checked 5 Oct 2026. IG's own pages disagree. The conflict is labelled, not resolved. Pace against 40.	Per account, trading calls only	labs.ig.comchecked 12 Oct 2026

IG API errors you may meet

All IG API error codes, including 126 more not listed here.