Strong WiFi Password Tips for Better Security
A strong WiFi password is long, unique and easy to type. Here are simple rules and examples of good passphrases.
Your WiFi password protects everything on your network. A strong one is long, unique and not based on personal details, but it should still be easy to type on a TV remote or share with guests.
Your WiFi password protects everything on your network. A strong one is long, unique and not based on personal details, but it should still be easy to type on a TV remote or share with guests.
Make it long: at least 12 to 16 characters, or a passphrase of 3 to 4 words, and do not copy the examples in this guide; create your own.
Here are simple rules and examples.
Rules for a strong WiFi password
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| At least 12 to 16 characters | Length is the biggest factor |
| Use a passphrase of 3 to 4 words | Easy to type, hard to guess |
| Not your name, address or phone | Easy to guess for neighbors |
| Not the router default | Defaults may be predictable |
| Unique, not reused | A leak elsewhere will not expose WiFi |
| WPA2 or WPA3 | Weak security undoes a strong password |
Examples of good WiFi passphrases
- copper-lantern-river-42
- PurpleTigerSings7Times
- maple sofa orbit tunnel
- Use our WiFi Password Generator to make your own.
Do not copy these exact examples. Create your own.
What to avoid
- Short passwords like 12345678 or password1.
- Street names, pet names and birthdays.
- Your WiFi name repeated as the password.
- Symbols that some smart devices cannot type.
How to change your WiFi password
- Log in to your router admin page. Find the address with our Router IP Finder, or try 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
- Open Wireless or WiFi security.
- Enter the new password and save.
- Reconnect your devices. See change WiFi password for brand steps.
How long it takes to crack a WiFi password
WiFi passwords are attacked offline: someone captures a handshake from your network, then tries billions of guesses on their own computer. That’s why length beats complexity.
- 8 lowercase letters: can fall in minutes to hours with modern graphics cards.
- 8 mixed characters: days to weeks for a determined attacker.
- 12 or more random characters: years or longer.
- Four or five random words: effectively uncrackable for home attackers, and easy to type.
These are rough figures and depend on the attacker’s hardware, but the lesson holds: add length before you add symbols.
Admin password vs WiFi password
Your router has two passwords, and both matter. The WiFi password lets devices join. The admin password protects the router’s settings page. If you only change the WiFi one, anyone on your network can log in with admin/admin and change it back.
Use different passwords for each, and store the admin one in a password manager. You’ll rarely need it, which is exactly why it gets forgotten.
Generate one in seconds
Our WiFi Password Generator creates strong, readable passwords in your browser. Pick word-based for something you can read aloud to visitors, or random for maximum strength, then copy it straight into your router settings.
Passwords for guests vs your own network
Your main WiFi password protects all your devices, so make it long and keep it private. A guest network password can be easier to share, since guests are isolated from your devices. Many people use a strong random password for the main network, saved on every device once, and a simple word-based password for guests that’s changed every few months.
Share a strong password without typing
- Print a QR code with our WiFi QR Code Generator.
- Use iPhone password sharing between Apple devices.
- Use WiFi Share on Android, which shows a QR code.
- Use your router app’s share option.
A long password doesn’t have to be a hassle if nobody has to type it.
Passphrase ideas that are easy to type
Random-word passphrases are strong and friendly to type on TVs and consoles. Pick four unrelated words and add a number:
- Example style: Lamp-Ocean-Carrot-Window-73
- Avoid: song lyrics, famous quotes, family names, your street.
- Tip: roll dice or use a generator to pick words, since people are bad at choosing randomly.
