Argon2 Key Derivation Tool
Experiment with Argon2 — the modern password hashing standard. Derive secure keys by configuring iterations, memory size, parallelism, and hash length. Everything runs 100% client-side, ensuring your sensitive data never leaves your device.
Argon2 Key Derivation Tool
Argon2 FAQ
What is Argon2 used for?
Argon2 is a key derivation function designed for secure password hashing. It protects against brute-force attacks by being memory-hard and computationally expensive.
Which Argon2 variant should I use?
Argon2id is recommended for most applications as it combines the strengths of Argon2i and Argon2d.
What parameters affect Argon2 security?
Iterations, memory size, parallelism, and hash length all affect the security and performance of Argon2.
Is Argon2 better than PBKDF2?
Yes. Argon2 is more resistant to modern GPU/ASIC cracking attacks compared to PBKDF2.
Does Argon2 guarantee unbreakable passwords?
No. Password strength still depends on the complexity and length of the password itself.
What is Argon2?
Argon2 is the winner of the Password Hashing Competition (PHC) and is widely regarded as the most secure and modern key derivation function (KDF) available today. Unlike older algorithms such as MD5, SHA-1, or even PBKDF2, Argon2 was specifically designed to resist modern cracking techniques using GPUs, FPGAs, and ASICs. Its memory-hard computations make brute-force and parallelized attacks significantly more expensive and time-consuming.
Argon2 Variants
Argon2 comes in three main variants, each optimized for slightly different use cases:
| Variant | Focus | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Argon2i | Optimized for password hashing | Authentication systems, password managers |
| Argon2d | Resistant to GPU/side-channel attacks | High-security applications, cryptographic systems |
| Argon2id | Hybrid mode (combines i + d) | Recommended default for most users |
Most modern applications and libraries use Argon2id as the default, since it provides a balanced level of protection against both brute-force attacks and side-channel exploits.
Configurable Parameters
Argon2 allows fine-tuning of its computational difficulty to balance security vs. performance. Its parameters include:
- Iterations (time cost): Number of passes over the memory. Higher values = stronger resistance.
- Memory size: Amount of RAM used during hashing. Increasing memory drastically slows down attackers with limited resources.
- Parallelism (lanes): Number of threads used. Improves efficiency on multi-core CPUs.
- Salt: A unique, random string added to each password to prevent rainbow table attacks.
Why Argon2 Matters
Argon2 is now recommended by modern security standards such as OWASP Password Storage Guidelines and is used in:
- Password managers (e.g., Bitwarden, KeePassXC).
- Authentication systems for web/mobile apps.
- Cryptographic protocols where key derivation security is critical.
By adjusting its parameters, developers can ensure that password cracking remains infeasible even as hardware improves. For example, setting Argon2 with high memory requirements makes it extremely difficult for GPUs or ASICs to achieve speedups, since memory is a limited resource compared to raw processing power.
About This Tool
The Argon2 Hashing Tool lets you experiment with Argon2 directly in your browser. You can adjust:
- Password and salt input.
- Time cost (iterations).
- Memory size (in KB/MB).
- Parallelism (threads).
- Choice of Argon2i, Argon2d, or Argon2id.
All operations are performed 100% client-side using the Web Crypto API and secure libraries — meaning your data never leaves your device. This makes it safe, private, and practical for testing and educational purposes.