Why API Authorization Headers Use the Word 'Bearer' Explained

Bearer tokens are a standardized method of API authentication where any client holding a valid token is granted access, much like a concert ticket. The 'Bearer' label in the Authorization header tells the server how to interpret the accompanying value, distinguishing it from other schemes like Basic or Digest authentication. Without this label, servers would have no reliable way to determine whether the value is a password, API key, or something else entirely. Bearer tokens are widely adopted because most API gateways, frameworks, and authentication libraries natively support the format, making it simple to parse and implement. Notably, a JWT is just one possible format of a bearer token, and all bearer tokens should be transmitted over HTTPS and placed in the Authorization header rather than in URLs to prevent exposure.