UUID Generator

Create UUID v1 (timestamp), v4 (random), v7 (time-ordered), or the Nil UUID. Generate one or up to a hundred at once, pick an output format, or paste a UUID below to check whether it's valid.

Validate a UUID

Versions

UUID v1 encodes a 60-bit timestamp plus a random node identifier. It's sortable by creation time and older than v7, but leaks the generation time of every value — rarely a good choice unless something you're integrating with specifically expects it.

UUID v4 is 122 bits of random data. It's the most common version and has no detectable structure — good for tokens, file names, or anywhere you just need a unique value.

UUID v7 starts with a 48-bit millisecond timestamp, followed by random bits. Because it's time-ordered, it sorts naturally and keeps database indexes from fragmenting — useful as a primary key instead of an auto-increment integer or a v4.

Nil UUID is the constant 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 — every bit is zero. Used as a placeholder or sentinel value to mean "no ID", not for generating unique values.

Output formats

FormatExample
Standard550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000
UPPERCASE550E8400-E29B-41D4-A716-446655440000
No dashes550e8400e29b41d4a716446655440000
Braces{550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000}
URNurn:uuid:550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000

Questions

What is a UUID?

A 128-bit value used to identify something without a central authority handing out IDs — also called a GUID on Windows. Looks like 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000. Two randomly generated v4 UUIDs colliding is practically impossible: you'd need billions generated per second for decades before it became likely.

Why would I use v7 instead of v4?

Mainly for database primary keys. A v7 UUID embeds a timestamp, so new rows insert in roughly sorted order — a random v4 spreads inserts across the whole index and causes more page splits. For anything that isn't a DB key (session tokens, API keys, file names), v4 is fine.

What's the point of v1 or a Nil UUID?

v1 exists mostly for backward compatibility with older systems that generate it from a timestamp and network interface — v7 does the sortable-timestamp job better without exposing as much. The Nil UUID (all zeros) isn't really "generated" at all; it's a fixed constant some APIs use to represent an empty or unset ID field.

Is a UUID the same as a GUID?

Yes. GUID is just Microsoft's name for the same 128-bit format — they're interchangeable.

Are these good enough to use as security tokens?

Yes — generation uses crypto.randomUUID() and crypto.getRandomValues(), the browser's cryptographically secure random number source, not Math.random().

Does anything get sent to a server?

No. Generation and validation both run in JavaScript in your browser. Nothing here makes a network request.