Have you ever wondered how computers generate a random UUID for each file or object? Here is a list of the 5 best free UUID generators online.
This article gives a detailed review of the 5 Best Free UUID Generators Online in 2024.
If you are familiar with NoSQL and SQL databases, then you have probably come across terms like ID, _id, or ObjectId.
These identifiers serve as the principal keys for records and documents. All documents have universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) that enable us to easily update, find, and delete them.
These identifiers also have crucial elements that define the characteristics of objects, for instance, the version of apps, software, and code used.
You may be wondering who or how computers generate these random numbers. It is easy. You can use the free UUID generators online.
These online tools can generate multiple UUID codes with zero chance of collision between any two UUIDs.
With this in mind, here is an overview of how UUIDs work and the best free UUID generators online in 2024.
What is a UUID?
A universally unique identifier (UUID) is a 128-bit random number assigned to each object for easier identification. A widespread use case is computer files.
Top operating systems require that you include an identifier for every file to make it easier to track and modify it. Generally, UUIDs are randomly generated, so no one controls them.
That is why it is almost impossible to predict the next UUID, which makes them useful anywhere.
How are UUIDs Generated and Used?
At the center of UUIDs are UUID generators. These online software tools enable you to create UUIDs using a variant of the unique algorithm specified in RFC 4122.
The random algorithm generates 128-bit sequences of hexadecimal numbers unique across all devices. These UUIDs are special because they consist of multiple components.
Most free UUID generators online enable you to create hundreds of UUID codes simultaneously. Some of them have the option to choose UUIDs with or without hyphens, braces, or uppercase letters.
Here is an example of a typical UUID: 805a4340-d5e0-4587-8f04-0ae88219699f. In this case, the 128-bit code is formatted into hexadecimal digits separated by a hyphen.
You should also note that the 16th digit is always an A/a, B/b, 8, or 9. Likewise, the 13th digit is always a 4.
UUID Versions
UUIDs can fall into any of these five versions:
Version 1: This version of UUID generates IDs based on the generation time and the Message Authentication Code (MAC) address of your computer. With this UUID version, you can find out the device’s address and time, but it has some shortcomings.
Version 2: This version is almost identical to the first one but is rarely used because RFC 4122 provides little detail. Due to their limited use, these UUIDs are sometimes referred to as DCE security UUIDs.
Version 3: This version utilizes the application’s text strings and cryptographic hashes to create UUIDs. Specifically, this version generates UUIDs using MD5 hashing. It is also crucial to note that this algorithm generates 128-bit identifiers, which is typical. So, it is possible to find two messages with the same hash value, making them more vulnerable.
Version 4: These generators create random bits or pseudo-random numbers. What it means is that UUIDs are generated randomly. Most programming languages support this version, which is technically superior to the other versions. Another good thing is that there are 2128 combinations.
Version 5: This is similar to version 3, except it uses a different hash algorithm. In this case, SHA-1 hashing replaces MD5.
The Best Free UUID Generators Online
While most programming languages have a straightforward way to generate UUIDs, sometimes you want to generate a UUID without writing code. If that is the case, here are the best free UUID generators online:
This UUID generator is intuitive and free to use. It is mainly designed for the macOS ecosystem. The beauty of this system is that it allows you to generate up to 500 UUID codes at a time.
You have two options: version 1 and version 4 UUID generators. To create free UUIDs online with this UUID generator, follow these steps:
Open the tool by going to uuidgenerator.net.
After that, choose the version of the UUID you want to generate. In this case, you can select version 1 or 4 of the UUID generator. You can generate two versions of UUIDs and store them locally.
Now, choose the number of UUIDs you want to generate. The maximum is 500.
Next, click the Generate button to start the process.
From here, you can copy the generated code and save it on your system.
This tool is the best free UUID generator online that helps you generate UUIDs in version 4. It generates text-based identification strings instead of numeric IDs.
We included it in this list because it is straightforward to use. The tool comes with a few optional settings, eliminating the chances of confusion for novice users.
To get this tool into action, go to Freeweb-Tools.com search for the UUIDv4 Generator, and then follow the steps below:
First, click the Generate button for the system to generate unique IDs.
Finally, copy the generated UUID by clicking the Copy button.
You can store your UUID locally by transferring the copied UUID code to your device.
This version of the free UUID generator online enables users to create random UUID codes for most versions. To be specific, you can develop UUIDs for version 1, version 3, version 4, and version 5.
The main interface has options for generating version 1 UUIDs and version 4 random UUIDs. To generate UUID codes on this platform, follow the steps below:
First, open uuidtools.com in your browser and follow the next steps.
After opening the Bulk UUID Generator, decide the number of UUIDs you intend to generate.
Next, choose the version of the UUID you want to generate. In this case, you can pick version 1, version 3, version 5, or the randomized version 4.
Finally, click the Generate button to start the process. You can repeat the process by clicking the Generate Another button.
This is a favorite UUID generator for many users and for good reason. With this tool, you can generate up to 2,000 UUID codes simultaneously. It is also free to use.
On top of this, it allows you to specify the format and encoding of your UUID codes before clicking the Generate some GUIDs! button. Here is the whole process of generating UUID codes from this tool:
Visit Guidgenerator.com.
Specify the number of UUIDs you wish to develop.
Next, configure the format of your UUID code by selecting braces, uppercase, hyphens, etc.
You may also want to choose an Encoding format.
Finally, click the Generate some UUIDs button to activate the process.
Another free UUID generator online is commentpicker.com. This site offers powerful tools to create random UUIDs for online tools and applications.
You can generate up to 100 random UUIDs at a time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have options to adjust the parameters of your UUIDs.
To create UUID codes using this tool, open the commentpicker.com site and follow this process:
Once on the site, specify the number of UUIDs you intend to generate.
After that, click the Generate UUIDS button to generate UUID codes.
Finally, copy your generated UUIDs and transfer them to your device or share them with others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I generate UUIDv4?
The main advantage of generating UUIDs in Version 4 is that it generates these identifiers using random numbers. It is almost impossible for two UUIDs to be the same. Here is an explanation of why two UUIDs won’t be similar.
Typically, a version 4 UUID is 128 bits. Four 128 bits show the version, while another two indicate the variant. So, you will remain with 122 bits, which offer multiple possible combinations. Specifically, you have 2^122 combinations or 5.3 undecillion combinations, which is a lot.
Can UUIDs be duplicated?
It is almost impossible for two UUIDs to be similar. In UUID version 1, the UUID contains the MAC address of the device generating it.
And as you know, every device with a network card has unique addresses. In other words, no two different computers can generate the same ID. Another addition included in the UUID that makes it more remarkable is the timestamp.
As for the version 4 UUIDs, which are generated randomly, there is a minimal chance of them being duplicated.
There are more than 5.3 x 10^36 possible combinations. With these numbers, it is only through sheer luck that any two UUIDs are the same. So, it is safe to assume that such a situation will never happen.
With Version 5 and Version 3, the UUIDs are based on the input you feed into the system. If your input is random, then the chances of two UUIDs being the same is equally slim.
Are UUIDs case-sensitive?
UUIDs are not case-sensitive. Most UUIDs are generated in base 16, which uses characters a-f and numbers 0-9. So, there is no difference between lower- and upper-case letters.
That said, RCF 4122 Section 3 stipulates that UUID generators online output UUIDs in lowercase, and the systems should accept UUIDs in upper and lowercase letters.
https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4122#section-3
Summary
There you have it. Universal unique identifiers (UUIDs) are more secure than random numbers. Because of this uniqueness, UUIDs are useful when auto-generated primary keys fall short.
They may sound so technical, but trying out the above UUID generators will give you an idea of how UUIDs work. They are intuitive and robust.
So, next time you need a universally unique identifier, save yourself the hassle of searching for a UUID system by just using our recommended free UUID generators online.
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