# How do I create a read-only Stripe key to show my MRR?

> In the Stripe Dashboard, in live mode, create a restricted key and set Read on Subscriptions, Prices, Products and Coupons, leaving every other permission at None. The key starts with rk_live_. ShowMRR rejects secret keys (sk_), test keys and publishable keys, and stores the key encrypted.

Source: https://showmrr.com/solutions/create-a-read-only-stripe-key-for-mrr (updated 2026-11-13). ShowMRR does not audit businesses and gives no financial advice.

## Steps

1. Open the API keys page in your Stripe Dashboard and make sure you are in live mode, not a sandbox.
2. Click Create restricted key and name it something you will recognise, such as "ShowMRR read-only".
3. Set **Read** on Subscriptions, Prices, Products and Coupons. Leave everything else at **None**.
4. Click Create key, complete Stripe's two-factor check and copy the key. Stripe does not show it again.
5. Paste it into the Connect Revenue form on your startup in ShowMRR.

## Good to know

- A key with no Write permission cannot create charges, issue refunds or change your account.
- To revoke: disconnect in ShowMRR, or expire or rotate the key in the Stripe Dashboard.
- If Stripe renames a permission, ShowMRR relays Stripe's error message, which names the missing one.
- Polar uses an organization access token with read-only scopes. Lemon Squeezy: we found no documentation of a read-only key, so treat that key as having full access.

More detail: [How to Share Your Startup Revenue Publicly](https://showmrr.com/blog/how-to-share-revenue-publicly).

## FAQ

### Can I use my secret key?

No. ShowMRR rejects secret keys (sk_) because they have full access to your account.

### What can ShowMRR read with this key?

Subscription data, to compute MRR. It keeps totals (MRR, customer count, daily history), not customer names, emails or individual payments.

### Does Stripe test mode work?

No. Only a live-mode restricted key is accepted, and test-mode data is ignored.

## Related

- [How do I share my startup revenue publicly without giving anyone access to my money?](https://showmrr.com/solutions/share-startup-revenue-publicly-safely)
- [How do I verify a startup's MRR?](https://showmrr.com/solutions/how-to-verify-a-startup-mrr)
- [How is MRR calculated from Stripe, Polar and Lemon Squeezy?](https://showmrr.com/solutions/how-mrr-is-calculated-from-stripe-polar-lemon-squeezy)