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Prioritize a long, unique password that is not common or easy to guess; do not rely on a forced mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. NIST’s current guidance sets a minimum of 15 characters when a password is used alone, and permits a minimum of eight when it is used only as part of multi-factor authentication (MFA). Those are requirements for services covered by NIST’s guidance—not a guarantee that every website follows them or that a password at the minimum cannot be guessed.
Length matters more than a checklist of character types
A password’s length is a practical priority, but character count alone does not make a choice strong. A familiar password with a predictable symbol or digit added may still be easy to guess. Prefer a long choice that is not common, expected, or already compromised.
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NIST explains that people tend to meet composition rules with predictable changes, such as capitalizing a familiar word or adding a digit or symbol. Its standard therefore prohibits verifiers from requiring particular character types and instead requires them to block passwords on a list of commonly used, expected, or compromised choices.
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NIST puts the passphrase approach plainly: “The use of passphrases (i.e., passwords with multiple words) is often an effective way to create a longer password.” A passphrase can be easier to remember than a random-looking string, but NIST does not prescribe a universal number of words. Choose wording that is not a familiar phrase or an obvious personal detail.
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What NIST’s current password guidance requires
NIST Special Publication 800-63B-4 sets different minimums depending on whether the password is used alone or only within an MFA process. The figures below are requirements or guidance for verifiers and credential service providers within the standard’s scope, not a promise about any particular service.
| Use or setting | NIST guidance |
|---|---|
| Password used as a single authentication factor | Verifier must require at least 15 characters. |
| Password used only as part of MFA | Verifier may set a shorter minimum, but it must be at least 8 characters. |
| Maximum length supported | Verifier should permit a maximum password length of at least 64 characters. |
The standard also says verifiers should accept printable ASCII characters and spaces, and should accept Unicode. A Unicode code point counts as one character when length is evaluated. Individual services may nevertheless set different limits or handle characters differently.
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NIST also says verifiers must not require routine password changes. They must require a change when there is evidence that the authenticator has been compromised. This is different from changing a password on a fixed schedule without a specific reason.
How to choose a password in practice
- Use a different password for every account. Reuse means that learning one password can put other accounts at risk. NIST advises unique passwords for accounts when using a password manager.
- Make it long and hard to predict. A multiword passphrase or a manager-generated password can help. Avoid common choices, expected phrases, and simple personal details.
- Use a password manager if it helps you keep passwords unique. NIST describes managers as a way to select secure passwords and maintain distinct ones across services. Its guidance says services must allow password managers and autofill, and should permit paste when autofill is unavailable. Protect the manager’s master secret carefully.
- Check the service’s actual rules. A site may not follow NIST’s recommended maximum length or character handling. If a generated password is rejected, use a different password that fits the service’s stated limits without reusing it elsewhere.
- Turn on MFA where available. MFA changes the NIST minimum that a verifier may allow for the password, but it does not make password reuse a good idea or make a weak password immune to attack.
A strong password cannot prevent every attack
Length and complexity reduce the chance of guessing, but do not stop attacks that steal credentials or trick someone into revealing them. NIST specifically names keystroke logging, phishing, and social engineering as attacks that are not addressed by password length or complexity. Treat unexpected login links and requests for credentials with caution, and do not assume a hard-to-guess password protects an account if an attacker can capture it.
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Why there is no universal “strong enough” number
NIST’s minimums describe what covered services must require or should permit; they are not a mathematical guarantee of resistance to guessing. The strength of a particular choice also depends on whether it is common, predictable, or compromised, whether it is reused, and whether the account uses MFA. The practical rule is to make each password long, unique, and not readily guessable, then use MFA as an additional layer rather than as a substitute for those habits.
NIST SP 800-63B-4: Authentication and Authenticator Management · NIST Digital Identity Guidelines FAQ
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