Password Generator — Create Strong, Random Passwords Instantly
Our free password generator creates strong, random passwords and passphrases instantly in your browser. Choose your length, select which character types to include, and generate a new password with a single click. Everything runs locally — no passwords are ever sent to a server or stored anywhere.
Password vs Passphrase — Which Should You Use?
Both random passwords and passphrases are secure when generated properly. The right choice depends on how you will use the credential:
| Feature | Random Password | Passphrase |
|---|---|---|
| Example | x7#Kp2@mLqR9!vN | correct-horse-battery-staple |
| Length | 12–20 characters | 4–6 words |
| Memorability | Very hard | Much easier |
| Entropy (bits) | High for length | High for word count |
| Best for | Password managers, stored credentials | Master passwords, memorable accounts |
| Typing ease | Difficult | Easy |
What Makes a Password Strong?
Password strength is determined by how many possible combinations an attacker would need to try to guess it. This is called entropy, measured in bits. The more entropy, the stronger the password.
| Password Type | Example | Entropy (approx) | Time to Crack |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 chars, lowercase only | abcdef | 28 bits | Instant |
| 8 chars, mixed case | aBcDeFgH | 46 bits | Hours |
| 10 chars, mixed + numbers | aB3dEf7hIj | 60 bits | Months |
| 12 chars, all types | aB3!eF7*hIjK | 79 bits | Centuries |
| 16 chars, all types | aB3!eF7*hIjKlMnO | 105 bits | Longer than the universe |
| 4-word passphrase | word-word-word-word | 77 bits | Centuries |
Note: Crack times assume 100 billion guesses per second and are approximate.
Password Security Best Practices
- Use a password manager — Tools like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane store and autofill unique passwords for every site so you only need to remember one master password.
- Enable two-factor authentication — Even a strong password can be compromised in a data breach. 2FA adds a second layer of protection so a stolen password alone is not enough to access your account.
- Never reuse passwords — Credential stuffing attacks use passwords from one breach to try accessing other accounts. Every account needs a unique password.
- Use longer passwords, not just complex ones — A 20-character password of only lowercase letters is stronger than an 8-character password with symbols. Length matters more than complexity.
- Change passwords after breaches — Check haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email has appeared in known data breaches and update any affected passwords immediately.
How This Password Generator Works
The generator builds a character pool based on your selected options — uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. It then uses JavaScript's Math.random() function to randomly select characters from that pool, one at a time, until the requested password length is reached. The result is a uniformly random password with no predictable patterns.
The passphrase generator works similarly: it selects random words from a built-in wordlist of over 200 words, combines them with your chosen separator, and optionally capitalizes each word or appends a number or symbol.
All generation happens in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Nothing is sent to any server. You can disconnect from the internet and the generator will continue to work normally.
Common Password Mistakes to Avoid
- Using personal information — Birthdays, names, pet names, and addresses are among the first things attackers try.
- Simple substitutions— Replacing letters with numbers like "p@ssw0rd" is well-known to attackers and adds minimal security.
- Keyboard patterns— Sequences like "qwerty", "123456", or "asdfgh" are trivially guessable.
- Short passwords — Anything under 12 characters can be cracked quickly with modern hardware using brute force attacks.
- Dictionary words alone — A single common word, even with numbers appended, offers minimal protection against dictionary attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most secure type of password?
A randomly generated password of 16 or more characters using all character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols) provides extremely high entropy and is effectively impossible to brute force with current technology. For memorability, a 5 or 6 word random passphrase provides comparable security.
How often should I change my passwords?
Current guidance from NIST (the US National Institute of Standards and Technology) recommends changing passwords only when there is reason to believe they have been compromised — not on a fixed schedule. Frequent mandatory changes often lead to weaker passwords as users make predictable modifications.
What symbols should I use in a password?
Any symbols from the standard set are fine: !@#$%^&*()-_=+[]|;:,.<>? Some websites restrict which symbols are allowed. If a generated password is rejected, try regenerating with a different symbol set or reducing the symbol characters.
Can I use this generator for WiFi passwords?
Yes. A 16–20 character password with all character types makes an excellent WiFi password. Since you type it once per device and most devices remember it, memorability is not important — strength is.
What is entropy in password security?
Entropy measures the unpredictability of a password in bits. Each bit of entropy doubles the number of possible values an attacker must try. A password with 80 bits of entropy requires 2⁸⁰ (over 1 trillion trillion) guesses to guarantee cracking — far beyond any current computing capability.