Subaccounts, Account Mode, and API Connections FAQ
This article explains what subaccounts are, how to manage them, how account mode works, and how to create and use API keys for external connections.
Subaccounts
What's a subaccount?
Subaccounts are accounts linked to your main OKX account that allow you to manage and separate different trading activities and strategies. Visit here to learn more.
What are subaccounts for?
You can use subaccounts to:
Separate trading strategies
Manage multiple trading bots
Control risks independently
How many subaccounts can I create?
Standard users can create up to 5 subaccounts
How do I create a subaccount?
Sign in to the OKX website
Go to Profile > Sub-accounts
Select Create sub-account
Choose the account name and account type
Confirm the creation using two-factor authentication (2FA)
How do I switch between the main account and subaccounts?
On the app: Use the Switch Account option in the profile menu
On the website: Use the Subaccounts menu to switch between accounts
How do I transfer funds between the main account and subaccounts?
Transfers between the main account and subaccounts are made internally by the main account using the transfer page:
Select the Crypto you want to send
Under Set destination choose My global trading account
Set the Withdrawal amount
Select Next to proceed
Account mode
What is account mode in the Global account?
Account mode defines which products and markets you can trade, such as Spot and Futures.
How do I change account mode in the Global account?
Access the OKX website or app
Go to the Trading page
Select the desired account mode
Confirm your selection
Important: Account mode must be configured before use and cannot be changed via API
API
What's an API?
An API key allows external applications and platforms to connect to your OKX account for:
Reading account data
Executing trades automatically
How do I create an API key?
Log in to OKX
Go to Profile > API
Select Create API key
Set a name for the key
Select the account or subaccount you want to use
Choose the required permissions
Create a passphrase
Confirm using your OKX account’s 2FA security codes
What API permissions are available?
Read: Allows reading account data
Trade: Allows sending and canceling orders
Withdraw: Allows withdrawals via API (use with caution)
What is an API passphrase?
The passphrase is a password you create during API setup. It cannot be recovered if it is lost.
How do I use the API on external platforms?
Enter the following details on the external platform or tool:
API Key
Secret Key
Passphrase
Good security practices for APIs
To keep your account safe:
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Restrict API usage to trusted IP addresses
Revoke API keys that are no longer in use