Recovery Code Generator

What Is a Recovery Code Generator?

A recovery code generator creates random codes that can be used as backup credentials in systems that support recovery or backup authentication codes. Recovery codes are commonly intended for situations where a normal authentication method, such as an authenticator application, security key or other second factor, is unavailable.

This Recovery Code Generator creates multiple random codes directly in your web browser. You can select how many codes to create and how long each code should be, making the tool useful for development, testing, internal systems and other applications where you control the recovery-code format.

Why Use the Recovery Code Generator?

The generator provides a quick way to create independent random recovery codes without installing software or sending sensitive code material to an online server.

How to Use the Recovery Code Generator

Creating a set of recovery codes takes only a few steps.

1. Choose the number of codes — Select how many recovery codes you want to generate.
2. Choose the code length — Select the number of characters required for each recovery code.
3. Generate the codes — Click the Generate Recovery Codes button to create a new random set.
4. Copy and store them securely — Use Copy All Codes and keep the codes somewhere secure and appropriate for your system.

Generate Random Recovery Codes Online

A recovery code generator is useful when you need a collection of random backup codes for an application, authentication workflow or system that you control. This tool generates codes using uppercase letters and numbers, producing a compact format that is suitable for displaying, copying and entering manually.

Unlike a recovery-code list generated from predictable values, this tool uses the browser's Web Crypto API as its source of randomness. The generator also uses rejection sampling when selecting characters so that the character selection does not introduce simple modulo bias.

What Are Recovery and Backup Codes Used For?

Recovery codes are generally designed as an alternative way to authenticate when a primary authentication method cannot be used. For example, an account might provide backup codes that can be entered when a user has lost access to their authenticator device. Each code is commonly intended to be used only once.

How Many Recovery Codes Should You Generate?

The appropriate number depends on the system that will use the codes. Many services provide a predefined set of backup codes, while applications under your control can choose their own quantity. This generator lets you create 5, 10, 15 or 20 codes so you can select a suitable set for your particular use case.

Recovery Code Security and Limitations

Generated recovery codes should be treated as sensitive authentication information. Anyone who obtains a valid recovery code may be able to use it for authentication if the associated system accepts that code. Store recovery codes securely and avoid publishing, emailing or sharing them unnecessarily.

This generator creates random codes, but it does not register them with an account or make them valid for an existing online service. Websites and applications normally generate and validate their own recovery codes. Before using generated codes in a security system, make sure their format, length, character set, storage method and validation rules match the requirements of that system.

Frequently Asked Questions