“How secure is my password?” is the right question to ask — but the way most people answer it is risky. Typing your real password into a random “strength checker” can hand it straight to a scammer. Our GetMyPassword team explains what actually makes a password secure, how to gauge its strength safely, and the simplest way to be sure: generate a strong one in the first place.
What actually makes a password secure
Three things decide a password’s strength: length, randomness and uniqueness. Length matters most — each extra character multiplies the guessing effort. Randomness means no words, names or patterns. Uniqueness means it is used on only one site, so a leak elsewhere cannot expose it. A 16-character random password scores well on all three.
How to gauge strength safely
Strength meters estimate how long a password would take to crack, which is useful — but be careful where you test. Never type a password you actually use into an unknown website; you cannot know what it does with it. Use the built-in strength indicator in your browser or password manager, or test only a similar pattern, never the real thing.
Quick self-check
- Is it at least 12–16 characters? Shorter is weak regardless of complexity.
- Does it contain real words, names or dates? If so, it is guessable.
- Have you used it anywhere else? Reuse cancels out strength.
- Could a stranger guess its source (pet, team, birth year)? Then it is weak.
The safest way to know your password is strong is not to test a weak one — it is to generate a random one. A truly random 16-character password is strong by construction, with nothing to check.
The simplest answer: generate it
Instead of testing whether a password you invented is good enough, skip the doubt and create one that is strong by design. Our password generator builds long, random, unique passwords instantly, so you never have to wonder how secure they are. Store each in a manager, and every account gets a password that would take centuries to crack.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to use an online password strength checker?
Be cautious. Never type a password you actually use into an unknown site, as you cannot verify what it does with it. Prefer the strength indicator built into your browser or password manager.
What is considered a strong password in 2026?
At least 12 to 16 characters, random rather than word-based, and unique to one account. A generated 16-character password meets all three and is effectively uncrackable by brute force.
Does adding symbols make my password secure?
Symbols help, but length and randomness matter far more. A long random password without symbols beats a short one full of them. Combine length, randomness and uniqueness for real security.