How to generate a random PIN
- Choose the number of digits. Six is the default; card PINs are usually four, and phones and apps often allow six or more.
- A new random PIN appears instantly. Press ↻ for another or open "Generate many" for a list, for example for door codes, lockers or test data.
- Copy the PIN and store it somewhere safe, such as your password manager.
Why random PINs matter
People choose PINs badly. Studies of leaked PIN data show that 1234, 1111, 0000, 1212 and 7777 alone cover a large share of all four-digit PINs, and years of birth such as 19xx are hugely over-represented. A thief who knows your birthday or tries the twenty most common codes has a real chance of getting in. A truly random PIN removes that advantage: each of the 10,000 four-digit codes, or one million six-digit codes, is equally likely.
PINs are short, so their safety depends on attempt limits: banks block a card after three wrong tries and phones add delays or wipe after repeated failures. That is why a four-digit PIN can be acceptable for a card but never for an online account. Choose six digits or more when allowed, never reuse your bank card PIN for other things, and do not write it on the card. The PIN is generated in your browser with crypto.getRandomValues and is never sent anywhere.
FAQ
Is a 6-digit PIN much safer than 4 digits?
Yes. It has one million combinations instead of ten thousand, a hundred times more.
Can I change my bank card PIN to this?
Usually yes, at your bank's cash machines or in its app.
Should I avoid any PINs?
Avoid repeated digits, sequences, years and dates such as birthdays.