To learn how to create a strong password quickly, use a random combination of at least 16 letters, numbers, and symbols that you never reuse across accounts. The fastest route is letting a dedicated tool or your browser create and store it so you do not have to memorize complex strings. If you need a password you can type from memory, combine four or five random words into a long passphrase instead.
Which password creation method should you choose?
The right way to build a login depends entirely on whether you need to memorize it or plan to store it in software. Human brains are terrible at generating true randomness, while computers excel at it.
| Method | Best For | Security Level | Memorability |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Browser Generator | One-off setups, maximum entropy, zero account tracking | Highest (16+ random characters) | None (must copy/save) |
| Google Password Manager | Everyday browsing in Chrome and Android logins | High (automated random strings) | None (auto-filled) |
| Passphrase Method | Master passwords, device PINs, work logins typed daily | High (if 4+ unrelated words) | Very high |
Three factors decide how hard a password is to crack: length, character variety, and randomness. Length matters most because each extra character multiplies the possible combinations an attacker must guess. A 16-character string with mixed case, numbers, and symbols provides over 100 bits of entropy. That places it far beyond the reach of automated cracking tools. Truly random strings avoid predictable patterns like dictionary words, birthdays, and keyboard walks like "qwerty".
Method 1: Generate a private, random string with AtomnyX
If you want a secure credential without handing your data to a third-party server, you can use the AtomnyX Free Strong Password Generator. This tool runs 100% client-side in your browser using JavaScript. It uses the Web Crypto API (crypto.getRandomValues()), the same cryptographically secure engine used by operating systems and audited security tools, rather than insecure functions like Math.random().
- Open the AtomnyX password generator in any web browser.
- Set your target length. Aim for at least 16 characters for regular accounts, or 20 to 24 characters for primary email or financial services.
- Ensure uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols are all toggled on to expand the pool to 94 possible characters.
- Click generate to produce your new credential. No network requests are sent, meaning your data stays entirely in your device memory until you close the tab.
- Copy the string directly into your account registration or update form.
Method 2: Use Google Password Manager in Chrome or Android
For standard web browsing, Google provides an integrated tool that creates and syncs logins across devices tied to your Google Account. This works well for social sites and general shopping accounts.
- Open Chrome on your computer or phone and navigate to the signup or password-change page of any service.
- Click or tap the "New Password" input field.
- Select Suggest strong password from the pop-up menu that appears above or below the field.
- Review the suggested combination. Chrome automatically populates both the password and confirmation boxes.
- Complete the site form. Chrome prompts you to save the credential to your Google Account, letting it autofill on future visits.
Method 3: Build a strong password that you can remember
You cannot use an autofill tool for everything. Device unlock screens, encrypted storage volumes, and master vaults require logins you can recall without looking at a screen. For these, use a passphrase composed of multiple random words.
- Pick four or five common words that have no logical connection to each other. Do not use famous book quotes, song lyrics, or personal milestones.
- Combine them directly or separate them with spaces or special characters. For example:
battery-staple-cobalt-running-frost. - Add capitalization and a number if the target service demands it, such as
Battery-Staple-Cobalt-7-Running. - Check the total character count. Five short words easily exceed 20 characters, giving you massive search-space resistance while remaining simple to type on physical keyboards and mobile screens.
Method 4: Set up a dedicated password manager
Adopting a standalone manager is the single most impactful security upgrade you can make. It allows you to use an unpredictable, 20-character secret on every website without memorizing hundreds of credentials. When one company suffers a database leak, your logins on all other services remain safe.
- Pick an established manager with independent security audits. Bitwarden offers a free, open-source tier. Paid services like 1Password and Dashlane offer polished user interfaces.
- Install the desktop app, browser extension, and mobile app on your everyday devices.
- Create a single, highly durable master passphrase using the random-word method described in Method 3. Write this recovery key down on physical paper and store it in a secure spot at home.
- As you log into existing websites, let the manager replace your old passwords with fresh, randomly generated strings of 16 characters or more.
Common password setup problems and fixes
The site rejects special characters or symbols
Some legacy portals, including older banking interfaces and municipal systems, fail to process specific punctuation marks like semicolons, quotes, or angle brackets. If a form gives you an unspecified submission error, adjust your settings to stick to alphanumeric characters (uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers). Compensate for the smaller character set by increasing the length from 16 to 20 or 24 characters.
The form imposes a strict maximum character limit
While modern platforms handle strings of 64 characters or more, older services occasionally cap entries at 12, 16, or 20 characters. Never drop below 12 characters even on low-risk platforms. If a portal limits you to 12 characters, ensure all four character sets (uppercase, lowercase, digits, symbols) are active to get the maximum possible security out of that restricted space.
Your browser fails to offer a suggested login
Web developers sometimes mislabel form fields in their HTML code, which prevents browsers like Chrome or Safari from detecting that you are creating a password. When the automatic suggestion box does not appear, open the AtomnyX client-side generator in a separate tab, generate an unguessable 16-character string, and paste it into the form manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a strong password that is easy to remember?
The best way to build a memorable, secure login is to string together four or five completely unrelated dictionary words into a passphrase. Avoid common cultural phrases, song lyrics, or family dates. A combination like maple-orbit-velvet-cricket contains over 20 characters, which provides excellent resistance against brute-force attacks while remaining easy for human memory to recall.
What is a good example of a strong password?
For an account stored in a manager, a strong example is kX9#mP2$vL5!qR8*. It features 16 characters, zero dictionary words, and pulls from uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For a login you must type manually, a passphrase like correct-horse-battery-staple provides comparable defense through raw length.
Can I create a secure login with only 8 characters?
No. An 8-character password is fundamentally obsolete regardless of how many symbols or numbers you mix into it. Modern graphics cards can guess an 8-character string in a fraction of a day using automated cracking tools. Treat 12 characters as your absolute emergency minimum, and aim for 16 characters or more on standard online services.
How should I format a password for SARS eFiling?
Government tax portals like SARS eFiling enforce specific format rules. They typically require between 8 and 16 characters containing at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one permitted special character (such as @, #, or $). Because these systems sometimes choke on extended punctuation, build an alphanumeric string at their maximum allowable length (often 16 characters) and include a simple symbol like # to satisfy their criteria without triggering form errors.
What makes a strong password for Gmail?
Your Gmail account protects account recovery links, personal correspondence, and two-factor reset emails for almost everything else you own. Because of this, it qualifies as a high-value target. Use at least 20 to 24 random characters generated by software, store it inside a dedicated password vault, and turn on hardware-backed or app-based two-factor authentication on your Google Account settings page.