How to Create Strong Passwords: A Complete Guide

Q: Are passphrases better than random passwords?

Passphrases (like 'correct-horse-battery-staple') can be very strong and easier to remember. A 4-word passphrase with random words offers excellent security.

Why Password Strength Matters

Every year, billions of credentials are exposed in data breaches. According to security research, over 80% of hacking-related breaches involve weak or stolen passwords. A strong password is your first — and often only — line of defense against unauthorized access to your accounts.

Modern attackers use automated tools that can test billions of password combinations per second. A simple 6-character password can be cracked in under a second. But a well-constructed 16-character password would take millions of years with current technology.

What Makes a Password Strong?

Password strength comes down to entropy — the measure of randomness and unpredictability. A strong password has the following qualities:

The Four Pillars of Password Strength

1. Length — At least 12 characters, ideally 16+. Each additional character exponentially increases the number of possible combinations.
2. Complexity — Mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (!@#$%^&*).
3. Randomness — Avoid dictionary words, personal info (birthdays, pet names), and common patterns (123456, qwerty).
4. Uniqueness — Never reuse passwords across different accounts. One breach shouldn't compromise everything.

How to Create a Strong Password

Method 1: Use a Password Generator

The easiest and most secure method is to let a tool generate a random password for you. Our Password Generator creates cryptographically random passwords right in your browser — no data is ever sent to a server.

Set the length to 16+ characters, enable all character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols), and generate a new password for each account.

Method 2: The Passphrase Approach

If you need a password you can actually remember, use a passphrase — a sequence of random, unrelated words. For example:

correct-horse-battery-staple

A 4-word passphrase from a large dictionary provides roughly 44 bits of entropy, comparable to a random 8-character password. Use 5-6 words for even better security. The key is that the words must be truly random — don't pick words that form a sentence or relate to each other.

Method 3: The Sentence Method

Think of a memorable sentence and use the first letter of each word, mixing in numbers and symbols:

Sentence: "My cat Felix turned 7 years old in March!"
Password: McFt7yoiM!

This produces a password that looks random but is easy for you to reconstruct from memory.

Common Password Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Do This

✗ Using "password123" or "admin"
✗ Your birthday, name, or pet's name
✗ Same password for email and banking
✗ Simple keyboard patterns (qwerty)
✗ Adding "1" or "!" to an old password

Do This Instead

✓ Use 16+ random characters
✓ Mix all character types
✓ Unique password per account
✓ Use a password manager
✓ Enable two-factor authentication

Password Strength by the Numbers

Here's how long it takes to brute-force a password based on its composition (assuming 10 billion guesses per second):

Password Type	Example	Time to Crack
6 lowercase letters	abcdef	Instant
8 mixed case + numbers	Ab3dEf7h	~1 hour
12 mixed + symbols	Ab3$Ef7h!kL@	~3,000 years
16 mixed + symbols	Ab3$Ef7h!kL@mN0%	~1 trillion years

The difference between a 6-character and a 16-character password is astronomical. Length is the single most important factor in password security.

Best Practices for Password Management

Use a password manager — Tools like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass store all your passwords securely. You only need to remember one master password.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) — Even a strong password can be phished. 2FA adds a second layer using your phone or a security key.
Check for breaches — Use services like Have I Been Pwned to check if your email appears in known data breaches.
Don't share passwords — If you must share access, use a password manager's sharing feature rather than sending passwords via text or email.
Use unique passwords everywhere — If one service gets breached, attackers will try those credentials on every other service (credential stuffing).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a strong password be?

A strong password should be at least 12 characters long, ideally 16 or more. Longer passwords are exponentially harder to crack through brute force. Each additional character multiplies the number of possible combinations.

Are passphrases better than random passwords?

Passphrases (like "correct-horse-battery-staple") can be very strong and easier to remember. A 4-word passphrase with random words offers excellent security. However, the words must be truly random — not a common phrase or sentence.

Should I use a password manager?

Yes. A password manager lets you generate and store unique, complex passwords for every account. You only need to remember one strong master password. This is the recommended approach by security experts.

How often should I change my passwords?

Modern security guidelines (NIST) no longer recommend regular password rotation. Change your password only if you suspect it has been compromised or if a breach is reported for a service you use. Forced rotation often leads to weaker passwords.