Token Generator
Generate random strings for passwords, API keys, and security tokens with customizable length and character sets
About Token Generation
Random tokens are essential for security purposes. They are used to create unpredictable strings that are difficult to guess or brute-force.
Different scenarios may require different token characteristics:
- Passwords: Use a mix of all character types for maximum security
- API Keys: Often alphanumeric (no special characters) for easier usage in URLs
- Session Tokens: Longer tokens (32+ characters) for better security
This tool generates tokens client-side using JavaScript's pseudo-random number generator. For truly cryptographic-quality random tokens in production systems, consider using specialized cryptographic libraries.
Token Types and Use Cases
Different types of tokens serve different purposes in security and development. Here are common examples and their recommended configurations:
| Token Type | Example | Recommended Length | Character Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure Password | aB3$cD7!eF9@gH2 | 16-24 characters | All (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, special) |
| API Key | 37fda8c94eb8b512e93f | 20-40 characters | Alphanumeric (easier to read/transmit) |
| Session Token | cdf5881d7af1ef0fd8e20762f8834e9da87901234a567890 | 32+ characters | Alphanumeric (hexadecimal) |
Token Security Best Practices
When using generated tokens in your applications, consider these security best practices:
- Store Tokens Securely: Never store sensitive tokens in plain text. Use secure storage mechanisms and proper encryption.
- Token Expiration: Implement expiration for security tokens, especially authentication tokens.
- Rate Limiting: Protect against brute force attacks by implementing rate limiting on API endpoints that accept tokens.
- Token Rotation: Implement policies to periodically rotate long-lived tokens.
- Transmission Security: Always transmit tokens over encrypted connections (HTTPS).
Generating Tokens in Different Programming Languages
For production use, here are examples of how to generate cryptographically secure tokens in different languages:
Node.js:
const crypto = require('crypto');
const token = crypto.randomBytes(16).toString('hex');
// Result: '3a1c267e3d15cec2fa4182e94a0187a2'
Python:
import secrets
token = secrets.token_hex(16)
# Result: '3a1c267e3d15cec2fa4182e94a0187a2'
PHP:
$token = bin2hex(random_bytes(16));
// Result: '3a1c267e3d15cec2fa4182e94a0187a2'