Free Online UUID Generator (v1, v4, v7)

What Is a UUID?

A UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a 128-bit number used to uniquely identify information in computer systems, often seen as a 32-character hexadecimal string (e.g., 123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000), serving as a reliable, system-agnostic ID for database records, objects, or sessions, with an extremely low chance of duplication, eliminating the need for a central authority.

Key Characteristics of a UUID:

• 128-bit Value: A UUID represents a 128-bit number, providing a vast range of possible unique values (over 340 undecillion).
• Format: Typically displayed as 32 hexadecimal digits, grouped into five sections separated by hyphens (8-4-4-4-12).
• Uniqueness: Designed to be unique across all systems and time, making it ideal for distributed environments where different systems generate IDs independently.
• No Central Authority: Can be generated locally by any system, avoiding bottlenecks and coordination issues.
• Also Known As: Often called a GUID (Globally Unique Identifier), especially in Microsoft environments.

Common Uses of UUIDs:

• Database Keys: Used as primary keys for database rows, allowing for distributed data management.
• Object Identification: Uniquely tagging digital assets like files, users, or sessions.
• Session & Device Tracking: Managing user sessions or identifying devices in applications without relying on hardware details.

UUID Versions Explained (v1 vs v4 vs v7)

Our generator supports the most popular versions:

• UUID v4 (Random): The most common version. It uses random numbers to ensure uniqueness. Perfect for general use.
• UUID v7 (Time-ordered): A newer standard that includes a timestamp. It is sortable, making it excellent for database primary keys compared to v4.
• UUID v1 (Timestamp + MAC): Generates IDs based on the current time and the machine's MAC address.

UUID Example: