How to Create a Strong Password
Use a unique, randomly generated password for each site, store it in a password manager, and prefer length over a clever substitution on a short word.
The short version
A strong password is one an attacker cannot usefully guess and that you do not reuse. Random generation plus a password manager beats a memorable phrase with ! on the end.
Steps that actually help
- Generate a new password. Do not recycle one from email, banking or social media.
- Make it long enough to store, not short enough to type from memory every time. See how long a password should be.
- Save it in a password manager. The manager is the memory; the site only sees the secret.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication where the account matters. A strong password is not a substitute for a second factor.
If you want a random string without creating an account, use the MultiConvers password generator. It runs in the browser and does not store the result.
What to skip
- Keyboard walks (
qwerty123) and name-plus-year patterns. - The same base word with a different digit per site.
- Storing the only copy in a chat log or a synced notes file you do not treat as secret.
Extra symbols on a short password help less than adding length. That trade-off is length vs complexity.
FAQ
- Is a passphrase better than a random string?
A long, uncommon passphrase can be fine if it is unique and not a famous quote. A generated random string of similar length is easier to make unique and harder to guess.
- Should I change passwords on a schedule?
Change a password when it may have leaked or you reused it. Forced rotation of a strong unique password often leads to weaker patterns.
Related guides
How Long Should a Password Be?
For a random generated password, 16 characters is a practical default. Longer is stronger if a manager stores it. Site minimums of 8 characters are a floor, not a target.
Password Length vs Complexity
On a random password, adding characters usually beats adding a punctuation rule to a short string. Complexity rules still help when they stop you from using a dictionary word.
Related tools
See all guides.