How this checker works
This tool uses a transparent scoring model: it rewards length and character diversity (uppercase, lowercase, digits, symbols), and penalizes common substrings, obvious keyboard patterns, and repeated characters. The “time to crack” figure is a simplified illustration based on an assumed guess rate—it is not a formal audit. Real attackers use leaked lists, credential stuffing, and phishing; no online meter can capture all of that from syntax alone.
What makes a password strong in practice
- Length first: Each extra character expands the search space far more than minor symbol tweaks. Aim for 12+ characters for general accounts, and longer for high-value data.
- Uniqueness: Reusing one strong password everywhere still fails if one site leaks it. Unique passwords (or random passcodes from a manager) contain the blast radius of a breach.
- Unpredictability: Names, pet names, and predictable substitutions (like “3” for “e”) appear in attacker dictionaries. Random generation avoids those habits.
- Second factor: Pair passwords with MFA where available so a stolen password is not enough to sign in.
When to use a checker (and when not to)
Checking an example or a newly generated password can teach you what patterns look weak. Avoid typing real production secrets into untrusted sites; here, processing stays client-side, but your own device hygiene (malware, shoulder surfing) still matters. If a password already protects something important and you are unsure it is weak, rotate it and store the new one in a password manager rather than re-testing the old one repeatedly.
Frequently asked questions
Does a high score mean my password is safe?
It means it resists naive guessing and brute force better than a low score. It does not prove the password was not leaked, reused, or phished.
Why did my password score low if it is long?
Length helps, but common words, sequences (like “1234” or “abcd”), or heavy repetition still reduce effective entropy. Try our passphrase generator for long memorable phrases, or the random generator for maximum unpredictability.
Is this the same as a data-breach check?
No. Breach checks compare your password to known leaked databases (usually via hashed lookups). This page only inspects structure and patterns on your device.
Should I check my banking password here?
We do not receive your password, but the safest approach for highly sensitive accounts is to use unique passwords from a reputable password manager and enable MFA, rotating credentials if you ever suspect compromise.