Google API Key Regex for PHP

What this pattern does

This page provides a lightweight, single-purpose regular expression for matching google api key, ported and verified for PHP. In security-sensitive code, using an unverified regex can open the door to both false positives and denial-of-service attacks. The snippet below is ready to drop into your PHP project — whether you're validating in a Laravel validator, a WordPress plugin, or a standalone PHP script.

Php Implementation

<?php
// Google API Key
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Security > API Keys & Tokens

define('GOOGLE_API_KEY_PATTERN', '/^AIza[0-9A-Za-z_-]{30,45}$/');

function validate_google_api_key(string $input): bool {
    return (bool) preg_match(GOOGLE_API_KEY_PATTERN, $input);
}

// Example
var_dump(validate_google_api_key("AIzaSyD-9tSrke72I6e0qOZVOtU5oBRBmBPUfhI")); // bool(true)

Test Cases

When to use this pattern

This pattern is drawn from the Security > API Keys & Tokens category and carries a ReDoS-safe certification. That matters for PHP developers because especially relevant in PHP where PCRE backtracking limits can trigger silent failures on malicious input. RegexVault audits patterns against known backtracking attack vectors, ensuring you have the necessary context before using this regex in a high-stakes production environment.

Common Pitfalls

Technical Notes

Google API keys starting with AIza are used for Maps, YouTube, Firebase, and other Google APIs. Keys can be restricted to specific APIs and IP ranges in Google Cloud Console — always restrict in production.