UUID Generator

Step 1: Choose UUID Version

Select the UUID version that best fits your use case:

• Version 4 (Random): Most commonly used, based on random or pseudo-random numbers
• Version 1 (Time-based): Based on timestamp and MAC address, includes time information

Step 2: Configure Generation Settings

Customize the generation parameters:

• Set the count (1-100 UUIDs per generation)
• Choose the format: standard, uppercase, without hyphens, or with braces
• Click "Generate New" to create fresh UUIDs

Step 3: Copy or Download

Use the generated UUIDs in your projects:

• Copy individual UUIDs using the copy button next to each one
• Copy all UUIDs at once using the "Copy All" button
• Download all UUIDs as a text file for batch processing

Software Development

• Database primary keys and unique identifiers
• Session IDs and token generation
• Transaction IDs for financial systems
• Request correlation IDs in microservices
• File naming and temporary resource identification

Web Development

• API keys and authentication tokens
• User registration and account creation
• Order numbers and invoice identifiers
• Upload file naming and organization
• Cache keys and temporary storage

System Administration

• Container and virtual machine identification
• Configuration management and deployment tracking
• Log correlation and debugging
• Backup and restore operation tracking
• Network device and service identification

Business Applications

• Customer reference numbers
• Product catalog and inventory management
• Document management and version control
• Event ticketing and registration systems
• Survey and form response tracking

UUID Structure

A UUID is a 128-bit (16-byte) value typically represented as 32 hexadecimal characters, displayed in five groups separated by hyphens:

Uniqueness Guarantees

UUIDs provide extremely high probability of uniqueness:

• UUID v4: 2^122 possible values (5.3 × 10^36)
• Collision probability is negligible for practical purposes
• Can generate 1 billion UUIDs per second for 85 years before 50% chance of collision
• Safe for distributed systems without central coordination

Format Variations

What's the difference between UUID and GUID?

UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) and GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) refer to the same concept. GUID is Microsoft's term for the same 128-bit identifier standard. They are functionally identical and can be used interchangeably.

Can two UUIDs ever be the same?

While theoretically possible, the probability of generating identical UUID v4s is astronomically small (approximately 1 in 2^122). For practical purposes, UUIDs can be considered unique. The chance of collision is so low that it's safer than many other risks in computing.

Which UUID version should I use?

For most applications, UUID v4 (random) is recommended as it provides excellent uniqueness without revealing any information about the generator. Use UUID v1 only if you specifically need the temporal ordering or timestamp information it provides.

Are UUIDs suitable for database primary keys?

UUIDs can be used as primary keys, especially in distributed systems where central coordination is difficult. However, they're larger than integer keys and may impact performance. Consider your specific requirements for uniqueness, distribution, and performance when choosing.

How are UUIDs generated securely?

Our generator uses JavaScript's crypto.getRandomValues() when available, which provides cryptographically secure random numbers. For non-security-critical applications, the standard Math.random() fallback is sufficient for uniqueness guarantees.

Can I use UUIDs in URLs?

Yes, UUIDs are URL-safe when using the standard format with hyphens. They contain only hexadecimal characters (0-9, a-f) and hyphens, which don't require URL encoding. This makes them excellent for use in REST APIs and web applications.