Use our free UUID v4 generator to instantly create secure, unique identifiers online. A UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a 128-bit value that ensures global uniqueness, making it ideal for databases, APIs, tokens, and distributed systems.
Generate UUID v4
What is a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier)?
A UUID is a standardized 128-bit number used to uniquely identify information across systems without collisions. UUIDs are represented as a 36-character string, for example:
123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000
How Does Our Free UUID v4 Generator Work?
UUID v4 is the most common type and is generated using cryptographically secure random numbers. The structure follows this format:
xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx
x= random hex digit (0–f)4= indicates version 4y= one of {8, 9, a, b} indicating variant
Why Use an Online UUID Generator?
UUIDs solve the problem of unique identification without central coordination. They are widely used in:
- Databases – as primary keys in distributed systems
- APIs – request IDs, access tokens, and session identifiers
- Security – generating salts, keys, and authentication tokens
- File Systems – unique identifiers for uploaded files
- E-commerce – order numbers and transaction IDs
Security of UUID v4
UUID v4 uses cryptographically strong randomness with crypto.getRandomValues, making collisions nearly impossible. The total possible UUIDs is:
2^128 ≈ 3.4 × 10^38
Even if billions of UUIDs are generated per second for years, the chance of duplication is effectively zero.
Collision Probability Formula
The probability of a collision after n UUIDs is approximately:
P ≈ n² / (2 × 2^122)
For example:
- After 1 billion UUIDs → Probability ≈ 1 in 10^20
- Practically zero in real-world scenarios
How to Use This UUID Generator
- Enter how many UUIDs you want to generate
- Click “Generate UUIDs”
- Copy them into your project, API, or database
Real-World Examples of UUID Generators
- Web development: Assigning unique IDs to users or sessions
- Distributed databases: Ensuring globally unique primary keys
- Authentication: API keys and secure tokens
- IoT devices: Device identifiers in large networks
FAQs
Is UUID v4 truly unique?
Yes. With 2^128 possible values, collisions are statistically impossible for practical use cases.
Is UUID v4 secure?
UUID v4 uses strong randomness, making it secure for identifiers. However, avoid using it as a sole security mechanism—combine with encryption and HTTPS.
When should I use UUIDs instead of incremental IDs?
Use UUIDs when working with distributed systems, APIs, or databases where centralized incrementing IDs may clash.
Need a simpler way to generate secure values like passwords or tokens? Try our Random String Generator for fully customizable strings.
