License Key: Ckeditor 5
If you omit the licenseKey property or use an invalid key:
Understanding the license is just as important as understanding the code. By correctly configuring your license key, you ensure your application remains compliant and free of "unlicensed usage" warnings, allowing you to focus on building great features.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes. Always refer to the official CKEditor documentation and the EULA for the most current legal terms regarding your specific license.
CKEditor 5 requires a license key to activate premium features or use certain commercial and cloud-hosted distributions. For standard open-source use under GPL terms, you can simply set the key to 'GPL'. Feature Implementation: Adding a License Key
To develop or enable a feature in CKEditor 5, the license key must be included in the editor's configuration object during initialization. javascript
import ClassicEditor from 'ckeditor5'; ClassicEditor .create( document.querySelector( '#editor' ), // Use 'GPL' for open-source or your commercial key from the Customer Portal licenseKey: ' Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Key Considerations for Feature Development
Open-Source vs. Commercial: If you are self-hosting and comply with GPL v2+ terms, use licenseKey: 'GPL'. Non-open-source applications or those requiring premium features must use a commercial key. Cloud vs. Self-Hosted:
Cloud (CDN): Even free accounts require a specific license key for cloud distribution.
Self-Hosted (npm): Can use either a commercial key or the 'GPL' string depending on your project's license. ckeditor 5 license key
Environment-Specific Keys: The CKEditor Ecosystem dashboard provides separate keys for development (often with domain restrictions) and production (which consume editor loads). Common Errors:
license-key-missing: Occurs if the licenseKey property is omitted in newer versions (v44+).
license-key-domain-limit: Triggered when a development key is used on an unauthorized production domain. Where to Get Your Key
Uncaught CKEditorError: license-key-domain-limit #18914 - GitHub
CKEditor 5 is dual-licensed, requiring a valid license key for both commercial use and open-source projects . Starting with version 44.0.0 licenseKey property is mandatory in the editor configuration. 1. Types of License Keys
Depending on your project's environment and needs, different keys are available: Production License Key
: Provides unrestricted access to all subscribed features for live end-users. On cloud-hosted plans, these keys track and consume "editor loads". Development License Key
: Intended for local work, CI/CD, and testing. These keys are restricted to specific domains like and display a "development" banner. Trial License Key If you omit the licenseKey property or use
: A 14-day evaluation key that grants access to all premium features. It is not authorized for production and may have functional limitations on session time. GPL License Key
: For open-source projects compliant with the GPL 2+ license, the value must be entered into the licenseKey 2. Pricing and Plans
Commercial plans are categorized by the number of editor loads and distribution methods: Monthly Editor Loads Monthly Price (Approx.) Support Level Free Commercial Starting at $45 Professional (2 requests) Professional Starting at $30 Professional (4 requests) Enterprise/LTS Contact Sales Dedicated Enterprise
Note: Overage for usage-based plans typically ranges from $30 to $60 per 1,000 additional loads depending on the tier. License key and activation | CKEditor 5 Documentation
CKEditor 5 , you generally need to provide a license key in your editor configuration to activate premium features or remove the "Powered by CKEditor" logo. Quick Setup Code In your JavaScript configuration, use the licenseKey property within the ClassicEditor.create() or similar factory methods: javascript ClassicEditor.create( document.querySelector( ), {
licenseKey: '
(up to 1,000 editor loads/month) requires a license key from the CKEditor Ecosystem dashboard Why is it needed?
Starting with version 44.0.0, a license key is used by default primarily for text formats that have premium plugins
enabled. If you have an unlimited license, adding the key also hides the "Powered by CKEditor" branding across all instances. License key and activation | CKEditor 5 Documentation Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes
A: Yes. When you sign up for a commercial account, CKSource provides a 14-day or 30-day trial key. During this trial, all premium features are unlocked with a visible watermark. This is ideal for development and testing.
Message: License key is not valid for this domain.
Cause: Your license key was registered for app.mycompany.com, but you are trying to use it on test.mycompany.com or localhost.
Fix:
To understand the license key, you first must understand the software license itself.
CKEditor 5 is distributed under the GPL (General Public License). This makes it "Open Source," but it comes with a strict viral clause:
The Solution: If you want to use CKEditor 5 in a proprietary (closed-source) project, you must purchase a commercial license. This license removes the GPL obligations and allows you to keep your code private.
If you are eligible for the GPL version, you can use the generic key: 'GPL'. However, it is highly recommended to check the official CKEditor 5 License documentation for the most current specific string required for open-source activation.
A: The editor will continue to function on existing user sessions, but new editor instances will fail to initialize or will fall back to an unlicensed mode with watermarks and disabled premium features. You should renew your subscription promptly.
