What is a Password Generator? Why You Need One
A password generator is a tool that creates random, complex passwords that are extremely difficult for hackers and automated programs to guess or crack. In an era where data breaches expose billions of passwords annually, using strong, unique passwords for every account is your most important defense against cybercriminals.
Our free online password generator creates cryptographically secure passwords using your browser's built-in Web Crypto API — the same technology used by banks and government agencies. No passwords are transmitted over the internet or stored on any server. Everything happens locally on your device, ensuring maximum privacy and security.
The human brain is notoriously bad at creating truly random passwords. Studies show that most people use predictable patterns — capitalizing the first letter, adding a number at the end, or substituting "@" for "a." Hackers know these patterns and exploit them. A dedicated password generator eliminates all human predictability, creating passwords that can withstand even the most sophisticated attack methods.
Password Strength: How Long to Crack Different Passwords
The strength of a password depends primarily on its length and character variety. The following table shows approximately how long it would take a modern computer performing 100 billion guesses per second to brute-force crack different types of passwords:
| Password Type | 6 chars | 8 chars | 10 chars | 12 chars | 16 chars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers only (0-9) | Instant | Instant | < 1 second | 2 seconds | 5 hours |
| Lowercase only (a-z) | Instant | 5 seconds | 59 minutes | 27 days | 2,000 years |
| Mixed case (a-Z) | Instant | 22 minutes | 1 month | 300 years | 16 million years |
| Mixed + Numbers (a-Z, 0-9) | Instant | 1 hour | 7 months | 2,000 years | 100 million years |
| All characters (a-Z, 0-9, !@#$) | 5 seconds | 8 hours | 5 years | 34,000 years | 1 trillion years |
How to Create the Strongest Possible Password
- 1Use at least 16 characters: While 12 is the minimum recommendation, 16+ characters provide significantly stronger protection. Each additional character exponentially increases the number of possible combinations.
- 2Include all character types: Combine uppercase letters (A-Z), lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and special symbols (!@#$%^&*). This maximizes the character set attackers must search through.
- 3Make it truly random: Avoid dictionary words, names, dates, keyboard patterns (qwerty, 123456), or any personal information. Use a password generator to eliminate human bias.
- 4Never reuse passwords: Every account should have a unique password. If one account is compromised, reused passwords give hackers immediate access to all your other accounts.
- 5Use a password manager: Tools like Bitwarden (free), 1Password, or KeePass securely store all your unique passwords so you only need to remember one master password.
- 6Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Even the strongest password can be stolen in a data breach. 2FA adds a second layer requiring your phone or security key, making unauthorized access nearly impossible.
Most Common Passwords: Are You Using One?
Every year, security researchers analyze leaked password databases to identify the most commonly used passwords worldwide. If your password appears on this list, change it immediately — hackers test these first in every attack:
| Rank | Password | Time to Crack | Rank | Password | Time to Crack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123456 | < 1 second | 11 | qwerty123 | < 1 second |
| 2 | password | < 1 second | 12 | 1q2w3e4r | < 1 second |
| 3 | 123456789 | < 1 second | 13 | abc123 | < 1 second |
| 4 | 12345678 | < 1 second | 14 | password1 | < 1 second |
| 5 | 12345 | < 1 second | 15 | 1234 | < 1 second |
| 6 | qwerty | < 1 second | 16 | iloveyou | < 1 second |
| 7 | 1234567 | < 1 second | 17 | monkey | < 1 second |
| 8 | 111111 | < 1 second | 18 | dragon | < 1 second |
| 9 | 1234567890 | < 1 second | 19 | master | < 1 second |
| 10 | 123123 | < 1 second | 20 | letmein | < 1 second |
How Hackers Crack Passwords: Attack Methods Explained
Understanding how passwords get cracked helps you appreciate why using a password generator is essential. Here are the main methods hackers use:
1. Brute Force Attack
A brute force attack systematically tries every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found. While this always works given enough time, it becomes impractical for long, complex passwords. A 16-character password using all character types would take trillions of years to brute-force with current technology.
2. Dictionary Attack
Dictionary attacks test passwords against databases of common words, phrases, and previously leaked passwords. They include common substitutions like "p@ssw0rd" for "password." This is why using real words — even with character substitutions — is dangerous.
3. Credential Stuffing
When a data breach exposes username/password pairs, hackers automatically test those same credentials on thousands of other websites. If you reuse passwords, one breach can compromise all your accounts. This is the #1 reason to never reuse passwords.
4. Phishing
Phishing tricks you into entering your password on a fake website that looks like a legitimate one. No password is strong enough to protect against phishing — which is why 2FA is essential. Even if an attacker captures your password through phishing, they cannot access your account without the second factor.
5. Rainbow Table Attack
Rainbow tables are precomputed databases of password hashes, allowing attackers to quickly look up a password hash and find the corresponding password. Modern websites protect against this by using "salting" (adding random data to passwords before hashing), but older or poorly-designed systems remain vulnerable.
Password Managers: Storing Your Generated Passwords
Once you generate strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, you need a secure way to store them. Password managers are encrypted vaults that store all your passwords and auto-fill them when you log in to websites.
| Manager | Free Tier | Platforms | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | Yes (full-featured) | All platforms | Open source, self-hostable, TOTP | Best free option |
| 1Password | No (14-day trial) | All platforms | Travel mode, Watchtower, families | Families & teams |
| KeePass | Yes (completely free) | Windows, plugins for others | Offline, open source, plugins | Maximum control |
| Dashlane | Limited free tier | All platforms | VPN included, dark web monitoring | All-in-one security |
| LastPass | Limited free tier | All platforms | Auto-fill, sharing, emergency access | Ease of use |
| Apple Keychain | Yes (Apple devices) | Apple ecosystem | Built-in, passkey support | Apple users |
| Google Password Manager | Yes | Chrome, Android | Built into Chrome, auto-generate | Chrome users |
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Your Second Line of Defense
Even the strongest password can be exposed in a data breach. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second verification step, typically a code from your phone or a physical security key, that hackers cannot obtain remotely.
| Method | Security Level | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Security Key | ★★★★★ | Physical USB/NFC key | Most secure, phishing-proof | Costs $25-70, can be lost |
| Authenticator App | ★★★★☆ | Time-based codes (TOTP) | Free, works offline | Phone required, setup per site |
| Push Notification | ★★★☆☆ | Approve on phone app | Convenient, one-tap | Requires internet on phone |
| SMS Code | ★★☆☆☆ | Text message with code | Works on any phone | Vulnerable to SIM swapping |
| Email Code | ★★☆☆☆ | Code sent via email | No extra app needed | Email could be compromised too |
We strongly recommend enabling 2FA on all important accounts, especially email, banking, social media, and cloud storage. Start with your email account — since password resets go through email, compromising your email can cascade to all other accounts.
NIST Password Guidelines (2025 Updated)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) regularly updates its password recommendations for organizations and individuals. Their latest guidelines have significantly changed how we think about password security:
- Minimum length: NIST recommends a minimum of 8 characters, but strongly encourages 15+ characters. Length is more important than complexity.
- No periodic password changes: Forced regular password changes (e.g., every 90 days) actually reduce security because users choose weaker, more predictable passwords. Change passwords only when there is evidence of compromise.
- Allow all characters: Systems should accept all printable ASCII characters, Unicode, and spaces in passwords. Users should not be restricted in what characters they can use.
- No composition rules: NIST advises against mandatory complexity requirements like "must include uppercase, number, and symbol." While these increase theoretical strength, they lead to predictable patterns.
- Check against breach databases: New passwords should be checked against known compromised password lists (like Have I Been Pwned) to prevent use of previously leaked passwords.
- No password hints: Password hints and knowledge-based security questions (like "mother's maiden name") are easily guessable and should not be used.
- Enable 2FA: Multi-factor authentication should be available and encouraged for all accounts, especially those containing sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Password Security
What is the best password length?▼
The best password length is 16 characters or more. While 12 characters is considered the minimum for security, each additional character exponentially increases the time needed to crack the password. A 16-character password with all character types would take trillions of years to brute-force. For highly sensitive accounts (banking, email, work), consider using 20+ characters.
Is this password generator really secure?▼
Yes, our password generator is extremely secure. All passwords are generated locally in your browser using the Web Crypto API, which provides cryptographically secure random number generation. No passwords are ever transmitted to any server, stored in any database, or logged in any way. The tool works completely offline once the page is loaded.
What makes a password "strong"?▼
A strong password has three key properties: (1) Length — at least 12-16 characters, (2) Randomness — no dictionary words, patterns, or personal information, (3) Uniqueness — not used for any other account. A password like "T#k9!mZ$2wPx&4Lv" is strong because it is long, random, and uses all character types. A password like "Summer2024!" is weak despite having mixed characters because it uses a dictionary word and predictable pattern.
How many passwords does the average person need?▼
The average person has 70-100 online accounts, meaning you need 70-100 unique passwords. This is humanly impossible to manage without a password manager. Use our generator to create a unique, strong password for each account, and store them all in a password manager like Bitwarden (free) or 1Password.
Should I write my passwords down?▼
Writing passwords on paper is generally safer than reusing the same password across multiple accounts, but it is not ideal. Paper can be lost, stolen, or damaged. A much better approach is using a password manager — an encrypted digital vault that securely stores all your passwords and auto-fills them when needed. If you must write passwords down, keep the paper in a locked safe and never label what each password is for.
What is a passphrase and is it more secure?▼
A passphrase is a password made up of multiple random words, such as "correct-horse-battery-staple." Passphrases can be very secure because they are long (often 20-30+ characters) while being easier to remember than random character strings. A 5-word passphrase from a dictionary of 7,776 words has about 64 bits of entropy — comparable to a random 10-character password. For maximum security, use passphrases of 6+ random words.
How do I know if my password has been leaked?▼
Visit haveibeenpwned.com and enter your email address to check if your accounts have been part of any known data breaches. You can also check specific passwords (safely, using a hash-based method) to see if they appear in any breach database. If any of your accounts have been compromised, immediately change those passwords and any other accounts where you used the same password.
What is the difference between encryption and hashing?▼
Encryption is a two-way process — encrypted data can be decrypted back to its original form with the correct key. Hashing is a one-way process — a password is transformed into a fixed-length string that cannot be reversed. Websites should store password hashes, not encrypted passwords. When you log in, the site hashes your input and compares it to the stored hash. Properly hashed passwords cannot be recovered even if the database is stolen.