Passphrase Guide
Passphrase Generator Guide: How Many Words Should You Use?
A good passphrase is long, random, and easy enough to type that you do not avoid using it. The strength comes from picking words randomly, not from writing a clever sentence.
The Short Answer
Use six or more random words for normal accounts. Use eight or more words for important accounts, shared vaults, recovery keys, or anything that needs to stay strong for years.
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This style is easier to type than a random character string and still has enough randomness when the words are chosen by a tool.
What Matters Most
- Random words beat personal phrases.
- More words usually beat more punctuation.
- Separators help readability and typing.
- Numbers and symbols are useful when a site requires them.
- Store unique passphrases instead of reusing one strong phrase.
When To Add Numbers Or Symbols
Add a number or symbol when the account form requires it, or when the passphrase will protect something especially sensitive. Do not trade words for symbols. A shorter phrase with punctuation is often weaker than a longer phrase with plain words.
Check The Result
After generating a passphrase, run it through a local checker to catch obvious issues like short length, repeated characters, common terms, or keyboard patterns.
Generate A Local Passphrase
Use the browser-only generator, then check the result without sending it to a server.