What is UUID Tool?
UUIDs (Universally Unique Identifiers) are 128-bit identifiers used throughout software development for unique identification without central coordination. UUID Tool generates, validates, and analyzes UUIDs in versions 1 (timestamp-based), 4 (random), and 5 (namespace-based). It can also extract timestamps from version 1 UUIDs and generate UUIDs in bulk.
Why Use This Tool?
Developers frequently need UUIDs for database primary keys, API request IDs, session tokens, and distributed system identifiers. UUID Tool provides instant generation, validation of existing UUIDs, bulk generation for seeding databases, and timestamp extraction from v1 UUIDs for debugging. All generation happens locally using cryptographically secure random number generation.
How to Use UUID Tool
- Select UUID version: v1 (timestamp), v4 (random), or v5 (namespace)
- Click "Generate" to create a new UUID
- Use bulk mode to generate up to 1000 UUIDs at once
- Paste an existing UUID to validate and analyze
- For v1 UUIDs, extract the embedded timestamp
- Copy individual UUIDs or download the entire list
Features
- UUID v1 (timestamp + MAC address based)
- UUID v4 (cryptographically random)
- UUID v5 (namespace + name based SHA-1 hash)
- Bulk generation up to 1000 UUIDs
- UUID validation and format checking
- Timestamp extraction from v1 UUIDs
- Version detection for any UUID
- Multiple output formats (lowercase, uppercase, no hyphens)
Common Use Cases
- Database Development: Generate primary keys for test records
- API Design: Create unique request/response IDs
- Distributed Systems: Generate IDs without coordination
- Debugging: Extract timestamps from v1 UUIDs in logs
- Migration: Generate consistent UUIDs for idempotent operations
Tips & Best Practices
- ✓ Use UUID v4 for most cases - it is random and has no embedded information
- ✓ UUID v1 reveals MAC address and timestamp - avoid for privacy-sensitive uses
- ✓ UUID v5 is deterministic - same namespace+name always produces same UUID
- ✓ Store UUIDs as binary (16 bytes) in databases for efficiency, not strings (36 chars)
How It Compares to Alternatives
Online UUID generators typically use JavaScript's Math.random() which is not cryptographically secure. UUID Tool uses crypto.getRandomValues() for proper random UUIDs. Unlike CLI tools (uuidgen), it provides bulk generation and v1 timestamp extraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between UUID v1 and v4?
UUID v1 includes a timestamp and MAC address, making it sortable by creation time but potentially revealing system info. UUID v4 is randomly generated, providing better privacy. Use v4 for most applications.
How do I generate multiple UUIDs at once?
Set the quantity (up to 1000) and click Generate. All UUIDs are created instantly in your browser. Copy all with one click or download as a text file.
Can I extract the timestamp from a UUID v1?
Yes! Paste a UUID v1 and we extract and display the embedded timestamp showing when it was created, down to 100-nanosecond precision.
Ready to Get Started?
Use UUID Tool for free - no registration required.
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