PBKDF2 Key Derivation Tool
Derive secure cryptographic keys from passwords using PBKDF2. Customize iterations, salt, and key length — all operations run 100% in your browser for maximum privacy.
PBKDF2 Key Derivation
PBKDF2 FAQ
What is PBKDF2?
PBKDF2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2) derives secure keys from passwords using salts and iterations to resist brute-force attacks.
Why are iterations important?
More iterations slow down brute-force attempts, increasing security.
What is a salt?
Salt is random data added to the password before hashing, ensuring unique keys for identical passwords.
How long should my salt be?
At least 16 random bytes are recommended for strong security.
Is PBKDF2 still secure?
Yes, but newer alternatives like Argon2 and scrypt offer more resistance to GPU attacks.
Where is PBKDF2 used?
In Wi-Fi (WPA/WPA2), password managers, and file encryption tools.
What is PBKDF2?
PBKDF2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2) is a standardized algorithm (RFC 8018) that transforms user passwords into strong cryptographic keys. Unlike simple hashing with SHA or MD5 , PBKDF2 uses a combination of a random salt and thousands of hashing iterations, making brute-force attacks far more expensive.
How PBKDF2 Works
- A password and a unique salt are combined as input.
- The input is hashed repeatedly using a function such as SHA-256.
- After thousands of iterations, the output is a derived key of the desired length.
Use Cases
- Password storage: Securing login credentials in databases.
- Key derivation: Generating encryption keys from user-provided passwords.
- Data protection: Used in encrypted ZIP files, backup systems, and Wi-Fi security (WPA2).
PBKDF2 vs Alternatives
| Algorithm | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBKDF2 | Well-standardized, supported everywhere | Not memory-hard, easier to attack with GPUs | Legacy systems, FIPS compliance |
| Argon2 | Memory-hard, modern design | Not always supported in legacy libraries | Modern password hashing — Try Argon2 Tool |
| HKDF | Ideal for key expansion and separation | Not intended for password hashing | Key derivation from shared secrets — HKDF Generator |
Best Practices
- Always use a unique salt for every password.
- Set iteration counts high (e.g., 100k–600k).
- For new systems, consider Argon2 for stronger security.
About This Tool
This PBKDF2 generator demonstrates real-time key derivation using the Web Crypto API. All operations run locally — your data never leaves your device. For exploring related concepts, check our Hex/UTF-8/Base64 Converter or experiment with alternative algorithms like BLAKE2/BLAKE3 .