Generate universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) instantly. Create v1, v4, or nil UUIDs for databases, APIs, and applications.
Why use UUIDs?
UUIDs (Universally Unique Identifiers) provide a way to generate unique identifiers without a central authority. They're essential for distributed systems, databases, and APIs where you need guaranteed uniqueness across systems and time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UUID?
UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a 128-bit identifier that's practically guaranteed to be unique. It's commonly used in databases, distributed systems, and software development to identify objects.
What's the difference between UUID versions?
UUID v1 uses timestamp and MAC address, v4 is random (most common), v5 uses namespace and SHA-1 hashing. Each version has different use cases and uniqueness guarantees.
Are UUIDs truly unique?
UUIDv4 has 122 random bits, making collisions astronomically unlikely (1 in 5.3×10^36). For practical purposes, you can generate billions of UUIDs without worrying about duplicates.
What's the difference between UUID and GUID?
UUID and GUID are essentially the same thing. GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) is Microsoft's term for UUID. They follow the same format and can be used interchangeably.
Can I generate UUIDs without hyphens?
Yes! Our tool allows you to copy UUIDs with or without hyphens. The 32-character format without hyphens is useful for certain systems that don't accept special characters.