Random Token Generator: Create Secure API Keys and Session Tokens
Generate cryptographically secure random tokens for API keys, session tokens, and CSRF protection. Learn token best practices and proper lengths.
February 12, 2026
What Are Random Tokens?
A random token is a string of characters generated using cryptographic randomness, designed to be unpredictable and unique. Tokens serve as identifiers or secrets in software systems where security and uniqueness are paramount. Unlike passwords that humans create and remember, tokens are generated by machines and used primarily for machine-to-machine communication.
Random tokens are everywhere in modern web applications, even if you never see them directly. Every time you log into a website, browse an authenticated session, or use an API, tokens are working behind the scenes to keep things secure.
Common Use Cases for Random Tokens
API Keys
API keys identify and authenticate applications making requests to a service. When you integrate a third-party API into your project, you typically receive an API key that must be included with every request. A strong, random API key ensures that only authorized applications can access the service. API keys should be long enough to prevent brute-force guessing, typically 32 to 64 characters.
Session Tokens
When you log into a web application, the server creates a session token that identifies your authenticated session. This token is stored in a cookie and sent with every subsequent request. If an attacker can guess or steal your session token, they can impersonate you. Session tokens must therefore be cryptographically random and sufficiently long, usually at least 128 bits of entropy.
CSRF Tokens
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) tokens protect against attacks where a malicious website tricks your browser into making unwanted requests to a site where you are authenticated. The server generates a unique token for each form or session, and the request is only processed if the correct token is included. These tokens must be unpredictable and tied to the user's session.
Password Reset Tokens
When you request a password reset, the application generates a random token embedded in a unique URL sent to your email. This token must be cryptographically secure to prevent attackers from guessing valid reset links. Reset tokens should also expire after a short time period, typically 15 to 60 minutes.
Verification Tokens
Email verification, phone verification, and account activation often rely on random tokens to confirm that the user has access to the claimed contact method.
How Random Tokens Are Generated
Secure random tokens must be generated using a Cryptographically Secure Pseudo-Random Number Generator (CSPRNG). This is fundamentally different from the standard random number generators found in most programming languages, which are predictable if an attacker knows the seed value.
CSPRNGs draw entropy from unpredictable sources such as hardware events, mouse movements, disk I/O timing, and other system noise. In browsers, the Web Crypto API provides crypto.getRandomValues(), which is a CSPRNG suitable for generating secure tokens. Our tool uses this API to ensure every token it generates is truly cryptographically random.
Why Standard Random Is Not Enough
Using Math.random() in JavaScript or similar functions in other languages for token generation is a serious security vulnerability. These functions use deterministic algorithms that can be reverse-engineered. An attacker who observes enough outputs can predict future values. Always use cryptographic randomness for any security-sensitive token.
Token Length Best Practices
The appropriate token length depends on its use case and the required level of security:
- CSRF tokens: At least 128 bits (32 hex characters or 22 base64 characters).
- Session tokens: At least 128 bits, preferably 256 bits.
- API keys: 256 bits or more (64 hex characters) for production systems.
- Password reset tokens: At least 128 bits with a short expiration time.
As a general rule, longer tokens are more secure. There is rarely a performance cost to using a longer token, so err on the side of caution.
How to Use the Simple-Toolz Token Generator
Our token generator makes it simple to create secure random tokens:
- Navigate to the random token generator on Simple-Toolz.
- Select your desired token length.
- Choose the character set (hexadecimal, alphanumeric, or custom).
- Click generate to create a new random token.
- Copy the token for use in your application.
All tokens are generated using the Web Crypto API directly in your browser. No token ever leaves your device, and no record of generated tokens is kept anywhere. Generate as many tokens as you need with confidence in their cryptographic security.