**To import a public key** First, generate a key pair with the tool of your choice. For example, use this ssh-keygen command: Command:: ssh-keygen -t rsa -C "my-key" -f ~/.ssh/my-key Output:: Generating public/private rsa key pair. Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase): Enter same passphrase again: Your identification has been saved in /home/ec2-user/.ssh/my-key. Your public key has been saved in /home/ec2-user/.ssh/my-key.pub. ... This example command imports the specified public key. Command:: aws ec2 import-key-pair --key-name "my-key" --public-key-material fileb://~/.ssh/my-key.pub Output:: { "KeyName": "my-key", "KeyFingerprint": "1f:51:ae:28:bf:89:e9:d8:1f:25:5d:37:2d:7d:b8:ca" }