> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/manage-your-license.md).

# Manage your license

How to activate your license key.

To enable certain licensed features, you must first activate your license. You can do this either through the UI or by setting environment variables.

## Add a license key using the UI <a href="#add-a-license-key-using-the-ui" id="add-a-license-key-using-the-ui"></a>

In your n8n instance:

1. Log in as **Admin** or **Owner**.
2. Select **Settings** > **Usage and plan**.
3. Select **Enter activation key**.
4. Paste in your license key.
5. Select **Activate**.

## Add a license key using an environment variable <a href="#add-a-license-key-using-an-environment-variables" id="add-a-license-key-using-an-environment-variables"></a>

In your n8n configuration, set `N8N_LICENSE_ACTIVATION_KEY` to your license key. If the instance already has an activated license, this variable will have no effect.

Refer to [Environment variables](/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/basic-configuration.md) to learn more about configuring n8n.

### Allowlist the license server IP addresses <a href="#allowlist-the-license-server-ip-addresses" id="allowlist-the-license-server-ip-addresses"></a>

n8n uses Cloudflare to host the license server. As the specific IP addresses can change, you need to allowlist the [full range of Cloudflare IP addresses](https://www.cloudflare.com/ips/) to ensure n8n can always reach the license server.

## Add a license certificate using an environment variable

For certain use cases (for example air-gapped environments) n8n can issue a license certificate instead of a license key. A license certificate is a base64-encoded string that n8n provides.

In your n8n configuration, set `N8N_LICENSE_CERT` to the string you received from n8n:

```bash
N8N_LICENSE_CERT=<base64-encoded-license-string>
```

Set either `N8N_LICENSE_CERT` or `N8N_LICENSE_ACTIVATION_KEY`, never both.

## Related resources

* [Configure n8n](/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n.md)