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Cerebras API: Trial only: $5 in credits, expires after 30 days

API Provider

Cerebras offers a limited trial: $5 in credits that expire 30 days after they are granted.

OpenAI CompatibleLimited trialFunction Calling
Save API Key Test API Key Get API Key Docs

How to use the Cerebras API trial

  1. 1
    Sign up at cloud.cerebras.ai Create an account, then add a verified payment method to activate the trial.
  2. 2
    Check your trial credits New accounts receive $5 in credits, valid for 30 days after grant. There is no ongoing free allowance.
  3. 3
    Generate an API key Open API Keys in the console and create a key.
  4. 4
    Choose a public model Check the official model catalog and your remaining credits before making a request.
  5. 5
    Configure an OpenAI-compatible client Base URL: https://api.cerebras.ai/v1. Purchase credits to continue after the trial runs out or expires.

Provider Snapshot

P Provider Type API Provider
O OpenAI Compatible Yes
U Base URL https://api.cerebras.ai/v1
F Limited trial Trial only: $5 in credits, expires after 30 days
P Phone Required Unknown
S Streaming Varies
T Function Calling Yes
V Vision Varies
L Last Updated 2026-09-13

Supported Models 1 models

View in directory →
Model ID Developer Context Availability Limited trial Use cases
llama3.1-70b
Llama 3.1 70B
 Meta 131K Online Limited trial chatcoding

Developer Tools

K Save API Key Never lose your API keys — save keys from all providers in one place. T Test API Key Test your API key and check quota.

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Cerebras FreeLLM Score free API access score

How we score →
42 /100
🔹 Niche Provider — Consider for generous free limits
Generosity Free limits and access terms
85
Access Signup and key availability
60
Model Breadth Free model coverage
0
Reliability Status and stability signals
15
Compatibility SDK and endpoint support
70
Quality Model capability signals
20

What is Cerebras?

$5 in trial credits, valid for 30 days. No ongoing free tier.

Cerebras offers a limited trial: $5 in credits that expire 30 days after they are granted. New accounts must add a verified payment method to activate API and Playground access. There is no permanently free tier or automatically renewing free allowance. After the credits run out or expire, purchase credits to continue using the API.

  • $5 in trial credits for new accounts
  • Credits expire after 30 days
  • Verified payment method required
  • OpenAI-compatible API

API Compatibility: Live-tested OpenAI-compatible Chat Completions

Cerebras Limited trial Limits & Pricing

Credit Card Required
Phone Verification Unknown
Limited trial Trial only: $5 in credits, expires after 30 days
Context Range 131K
Total Models 1 listed
API Compatibility Live-tested OpenAI-compatible Chat Completions
Limited trial Summary Trial only: $5 in credits, expiring 30 days after grant. A verified payment method is required. Paid credits are needed after expiry or exhaustion.

Cerebras API Setup Tutorials

Claude Code Environment variables and base URL setup Codex OpenAI-compatible config for local coding Gemini CLI Provider-specific API key routing notes

Cerebras is fully compatible with popular AI coding assistants like Cursor, Claude Code, and more. To see step-by-step API configuration instructions for your favorite tool, please visit our Global Configuration Guide →

Cerebras Model Use Cases

What Cerebras's trial-accessible models are best for, based on aggregated model capabilities:

Chat 1 model Coding 1 model

Cerebras Limitations & Caveats

  • No permanent or automatically renewing free tier
  • A verified payment method is required to activate the trial
  • API and Playground access stop when trial credits expire or run out; purchase credits to continue
  • Trial request limits are separate from the $5 credit allowance and do not renew it

Cerebras FAQ

Does Cerebras have a permanently free API tier?

No. New accounts receive $5 in trial credits after adding a verified payment method. Credits expire 30 days after they are granted and do not renew automatically.

What happens when the trial credits run out or expire?

API and Playground access stop until you purchase credits. Your API keys and settings remain intact. A valid key can therefore return a payment-required error when no usable credits remain.

Do I need a payment method for the trial?

Yes. A verified payment method is required to activate API and Playground access. You are not charged unless you choose to purchase additional credits.