How to generate a strong password online

Why you need a generated password

People tend to pick passwords they can remember: a name, a date, a favourite word with a number on the end. Those are exactly the passwords that are easiest to guess. A random password has no pattern to guess, which is why a generator is the better choice for any account that matters.

The Password Generator on NetworkTools creates passwords in your browser, so the result is not sent anywhere. You choose the length and the types of characters, and the tool shows a strength rating as you go.

Step by step

1. Open the Password Generator. At the top you will see the Password Length slider, with a number field next to it. The default length is 16 characters.
2. Set the length and tick the character types you want: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers and special characters. Two extra options let you exclude similar characters (such as i, l, 1, L, o, 0, O) and ambiguous characters.

   

3. Click Generate. A new password appears in the Generated Password field. You can click the refresh icon inside the field or press Generate again for another one.
4. Check the strength label next to the field. In the screenshot below, a 16-character password with lowercase, uppercase and numbers is rated Strong.

   

5. Click Copy and paste the password straight into your password manager or the sign-up form. Use Clear to remove it from the field.

Tips for choosing the settings

• Length matters most. A longer password is harder to crack than a short one with more symbols. The tool allows up to 128 characters, and a password manager means you never have to type it.
• Use every character type when the site allows it. Mixing lowercase, uppercase, numbers and special characters widens the pool of possible characters.
• Turn special characters off only if you must. Some older sites reject symbols. In that case, add length to make up for it.
• Exclude similar characters if you will read the password aloud or type it by hand. It avoids mixing up 0 and O or 1 and l.
• Use a different password for every account. A single leaked password should never open a second door.
• Store it safely. A password manager is the easiest way to keep many long passwords.

FAQ

Is the password generated in my browser?

Yes. The tool works in your browser, and the password is not uploaded.

How long should a password be?

A good rule of thumb is at least 12 to 16 characters. The default of 16 is a sensible starting point, and you can go longer for important accounts.

What do the exclude options do?

Exclude similar characters removes look-alikes such as i, l, 1, L, o, 0 and O. Exclude ambiguous characters removes symbols that are easy to confuse or that some systems handle badly.

Can I generate several passwords?

Yes. Click Generate as many times as you like and use the one you prefer.

Related tools

• Password Generator: the tool described in this guide.
• QR Code Generator: share a Wi-Fi network without typing the password.
• DNS Lookup: check the DNS records of your domain.
• PNG to JPG converter: convert images in your browser.

Try it now

Ready to replace a weak password? Open the Password Generator, pick your settings and click Generate.