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Use a password generator to create a long, unique password, then save it in a password manager. Length matters more than mixing uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols: current NIST guidance recommends at least 15 characters when you create a password and does not require character-composition rules. Individual websites may set their own limits, so check the account’s requirements before generating.
How to generate a strong password
- Check the account’s password rules. Look for a minimum or maximum length and any restrictions on symbols or other characters.
- Choose a long password. NIST recommends at least 15 characters when a person must create a password. If the service allows it, choose a longer result.
- Generate a unique password. Do not reuse it for another account.
- Save it in a password manager. That makes it easier to retrieve without relying on memory or reusing a weaker password.
- Turn on MFA where available. Use it on the account, and choose a password manager that supports MFA.
A generator produces a candidate password; it does not, by itself, secure an account. Follow the site’s rules and store the result safely.
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How long should a password be?
Length is the main priority. NIST’s SP 800-63B-4 standard requires at least 15 characters for passwords used as a single authentication factor. NIST’s public guidance, updated August 20, 2025, also recommends at least 15 characters when a person must create a password. This is NIST guidance, not a universal rule imposed on every website: a service may accept a different length or enforce its own limits.
NIST notes that even a long password may eventually be guessed by a determined attacker with access to an offline database. There is no password length that makes an account impossible to compromise, so use a unique password and MFA as additional protections.
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Should a password include symbols, numbers, and uppercase letters?
Not necessarily. NIST’s current guidance discourages composition rules that require a particular mix of character types, such as one uppercase letter, one digit, and one symbol. A longer password is a better priority than adding characters solely to satisfy a supposed universal formula.
A website may still require specific characters or reject some symbols. If it does, configure the generator to meet the service’s stated rules. If the site rejects the result, check its length and character restrictions, then generate another password. NIST also says services should check proposed passwords against lists of commonly used, expected, or compromised values.
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Password generator or password manager?
| Approach | What it does | What you still need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Generator alone | Creates a candidate password quickly, with options that can help match a site’s input rules. | Check compatibility, keep the password unique, and arrange safe storage and retrieval. |
| Password manager | Can generate and store distinct passwords across accounts, reducing the need to memorize or reuse them. | Choose one that supports MFA and use it to store and retrieve each account’s unique password. |
NIST recommends password managers for generating and securely storing unique passwords. A standalone generator can be useful for producing a candidate, but a manager addresses the next practical problem: keeping passwords distinct and accessible. NIST’s Digital Identity Guidelines FAQ and password guidance discuss these recommendations.
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When should you change a password?
Change a password if it has been exposed, compromised, or otherwise needs replacing; do not change it on an arbitrary schedule just for the sake of routine rotation. NIST SP 800-63B-4 says routine periodic password changes should not be required. If you replace a password, generate a new unique one and update its saved entry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What NIST’s guidance means for your account
NIST SP 800-63B-4 sets the 15-character minimum for passwords used as a single authentication factor within the standard’s scope. It also discourages composition rules, calls for screening proposed passwords against commonly used, expected, or compromised values, and rejects routine periodic changes. The implementation FAQ summarizes these changes. These provisions are not a promise that every website follows the standard or accepts every generated password; use the service’s stated requirements.
For its public advice, NIST says, “The most important part of a good password is its length.” The guidance was created April 28, 2025 and updated August 20, 2025. See the NIST implementation FAQ for an overview of the standard’s changes.
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- DEVICE & OS COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. Works seamlessly with supported services like Google and Microsoft accounts, and major password managers. See the full compatibility list at "Works With YubiKey"
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