Weak passwords are behind a huge share of hacked accounts. The good news is that creating a strong password is quick and easy once you know what actually makes one secure. This guide explains the three rules of a strong password, common mistakes to avoid, and the fastest way to generate one.
What makes a password strong?
A strong password comes down to three things:
- Length: longer is stronger. Aim for at least 12 to 16 characters. Every extra character makes a password dramatically harder to crack.
- Randomness: mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols with no real words or patterns. "P@ssw0rd" is weak because it is predictable; a random string is not.
- Uniqueness: use a different password for every account. If one site is breached, your other accounts stay safe.
Common password mistakes
- Using names, birthdays, or "123456" and "password".
- Reusing the same password everywhere.
- Simple substitutions like a to @ or o to 0, which attackers expect.
- Sharing passwords over chat or email.
The fastest way to a strong password
Rather than inventing one, generate it. Our free Password Generator creates strong, random passwords in one click. You can set the length and choose which character types to include, all in your browser with no sign-up.
- Open the Password Generator.
- Choose a length of 16 or more characters.
- Include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Copy your new password and save it in a password manager.
Keep your passwords safe
A strong password only helps if you store it safely. Use a trusted password manager so you never have to remember or reuse them, and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it is offered for an extra layer of protection.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a password be?
At least 12 characters, and 16 or more for important accounts like email and banking.
Are random passwords really safer?
Yes. Random passwords have no pattern for attackers to guess, which makes them far harder to crack than words or dates.
Is it safe to generate a password online?
With our tool, the password is generated in your browser and is never sent to a server, so it stays private to you.
Create one now with the free Password Generator, or browse all our free online tools.