What is a JWT Secret Key?

A JWT (JSON Web Token) secret key is a cryptographic key used to sign and verify JWTs. It's crucial for the security of your authentication system. The secret key should be:

• Long enough: At least 256 bits (32 bytes) for HMAC algorithms
• Cryptographically secure: Generated using a secure random number generator
• Kept secret: Never exposed in client-side code or version control
• Rotated regularly: Change periodically for enhanced security

Why Use This Generator?

This tool generates cryptographically secure random keys using your browser's Web Crypto API. Unlike simple random string generators, it uses crypto.getRandomValues() which provides entropy suitable for cryptographic purposes.

Security Best Practices

• Store JWT secrets as environment variables, not in code
• Use different secrets for development and production
• Consider using RSA key pairs for asymmetric signing in production
• Implement proper key rotation strategies