JWT Secret Key Generator
Generate secure random JWT secret keys with customizable bit length and encoding formats.
128-bit
Basic security for less sensitive applications
256-bit
Standard security for most applications
384-bit
Enhanced security for sensitive applications
512-bit
High security for critical applications
Base64
Standard encoding for JWT secrets (e.g., G8/Zfp2XK5CQ 1QH+OX1Kg==)
Hexadecimal
Hex string format (e.g., 1a2b3c4d5e 6f7g8h)
Base64URL
URL-safe Base64 encoding (e.g., G8_Zfp2XK5CQ1 QH-OX1Kg)
What is JWT?
JSON Web Token (JWT) is an open standard for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. JWTs are commonly used for authentication and information exchange in web development.
Secret Key Usage
The secret key is used to sign JWTs, ensuring they haven't been tampered with. A strong, random secret key is essential for JWT security. Never share your secret key or commit it to version control.
Key Size Recommendations
- 128-bit: Minimum for non-critical applications
- 256-bit: Recommended for most applications
- 384-bit or 512-bit: For high-security requirements
A JWT consists of three parts separated by dots (.):
- Header: Contains the token type and signing algorithm
- Payload: Contains the claims or assertions about an entity
- Signature: Created using the header, payload, and secret key
The final JWT looks like: xxxxx.yyyyy.zzzzz
- Use strong, randomly generated secret keys
- Set appropriate token expiration times
- Store tokens securely (e.g., HttpOnly cookies)
- Implement token revocation mechanisms
- Use HTTPS to prevent token interception
- Don't store sensitive data in the JWT payload
- Consider using asymmetric keys (RS256) for larger systems