PBKDF2 Password Hash Generator

Hash a password using PBKDF2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2), a NIST-recommended key derivation function. PBKDF2 applies a pseudorandom function (HMAC-SHA256) repeatedly to derive a key from a password and salt. While not memory-hard like Argon2id or scrypt, PBKDF2 is universally supported and FIPS 140-2 compliant.

Privacy: this tool processes all data entirely in your browser. Passwords and hashes are never sent to the server.

The password is never sent anywhere.

Optional: provide your own salt (hex). Leave blank for auto-generation.

Number of HMAC iterations. NIST recommends ≥600,000 for PBKDF2-SHA256 (2023).

Output key length. Default: 32 bytes (256 bits).

Result

Enter your values and press Calculate — the result appears here.

Worked examples

Hash with 600k iterations

  • password = MySecret123!
  • iterations = 600000
  • keyLength = 32

Result: A 64-character hex hash.

Frequently asked questions

How many iterations should I use?

NIST recommends at least 600,000 iterations for PBKDF2-SHA256 as of 2023. For older systems, 100,000 was common. Higher iterations = slower = more secure, but also slower for legitimate verification.

PBKDF2 vs Argon2id vs bcrypt?

PBKDF2 is FIPS-compliant and universally supported, making it suitable for government and enterprise applications. However, it lacks the memory-hardness of Argon2id/scrypt, making it more vulnerable to GPU acceleration. For new applications, prefer Argon2id when available.

Is my password sent to a server?

No. Hashing happens entirely in your browser using the Web Crypto API. The password never leaves your device.

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