What is a passphrase? Are they safer than passwords?

A passphrase is a sequence of words you string together to protect your accounts, and it can be more secure than a traditional password if you construct it properly. By using multiple random words, you increase unpredictability, which makes guessing or brute-force attacks much harder.

This guide explains what a passphrase is, how it differs from a password, and the different types you can use. We also dive into the pros and cons of using one, the key traits of a strong passphrase, and practical tips for creating and securely storing one.

What is a passphrase?

A passphrase is a sequence of words you string together to secure an account. You pick each word from a list randomly, so it’s unpredictable. Unlike a normal password, it relies on multiple words rather than just letters or symbols, making guessing much harder.

Passphrases work because each word adds bits of entropy, which is a measure of unpredictability. When you use four or more words chosen randomly, it becomes strong enough to resist a wide variety of password attacks. You can type it more easily, and it’s easier to remember than a random jumble of characters.

What is an example of a passphrase?

An example of a passphrase could be “ocean pencil window guitar.” Each word is ordinary, but together they create a long string that’s hard for attackers to guess. The words don’t need to make sense, and randomness is what keeps it secure.

You can create your own by rolling dice or using a random generator to pick words from a list. That way, you get a sequence that’s easy to remember but still very strong, so you can log in without writing it down or struggling to recall it.

What is the difference between a passphrase and a password?

The main difference between a passphrase and a password is length and structure. A passphrase uses multiple words in a sequence, while a password usually relies on a shorter mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to create security.

Passphrases focus on being easier to remember and type, while passwords try to cram entropy into fewer characters. You get more security per word in a passphrase because attackers can’t rely on predictable patterns, making guessing much harder compared to standard passwords.

Is a passphrase more secure than a password?

For the most part, passphrases are more secure than passwords, especially if you choose several words at random from a large list. Each word adds entropy, and together they create a huge number of combinations, which makes brute-force attacks far harder to pull off.

That said, platform limitations can make passwords preferable to passphrases in some cases. For instance, if a site limits you to 12-20 characters, a fully random short password can pack more entropy per character.

Types of passphrases

Passphrases can take different forms depending on how you choose the words or elements. Each has its own way of helping you remember it while keeping your accounts secure:

• Keyboard pattern passphrases: Each word starts with a letter that follows a keyboard layout pattern (like the QWERTY standard). Example: Quiet Words Enemy Rose Thames Yellow.
• Random passphrases: In this case, you pick the words randomly from a large list. This makes the passphrase harder to guess, but also to remember. One example is ForestTrumpetLadderComet.
• Mnemonic passphrases: You take a sentence or phrase that’s easy to remember and turn it into a passphrase, so it looks random but sticks in your mind. For instance: Sunsets-over-hills-brinG-calm-eveninGs.
• Image-based passphrase: Pick words inspired by a picture or scene you can visualize, like a particularly wild New Year’s party. Example: Champagne Glass Shards Everywhere Ouchie.

What are the advantages of using a passphrase?

Passphrases are a simple way to keep accounts secure without struggling to remember complicated passwords. Here’s how passphrases make life easier and safer online:

• Easy to remember: You can recall a passphrase by picturing the words together, making it easier to log in without writing it down.
• Strong against attacks: Randomly chosen words add real unpredictability, so guessing or brute-forcing the password takes much more effort, even from powerful supercomputers.
• Stops repeated passwords: Using a unique passphrase for each account keeps hackers from gaining access to multiple accounts with the same login. You don’t have to reuse what’s easy to remember.
• Smoother login process: Fewer special characters and simpler words mean less hassle when logging in. Passphrases are also easier to input on different devices.

What are the disadvantages of using a passphrase?

Passphrases only have the upper hand if the platform actually supports them and doesn’t force super strict rules during account setup:

• Platform limitations: Some apps, websites, and enterprise services only accept short passwords, so long passphrases may not be an option.
• Complexity requirements: Platforms may force you to use symbols, numbers, and mixed cases, which breaks the natural flow of word-based passphrases.
• User friction: Creating a long passphrase that meets strict rules can slow down account setup and logins, as well as make them harder to remember than a typical password.

What are the characteristics of a good passphrase?

A good passphrase is long and random, with a nice degree of complexity, while still being memorable enough. Here are the specifics.

Word and character count

Aim for at least four separate words totaling 15 or more characters. Since each added word increases the total number of possible combinations, attackers will have a much harder time trying to guess your passphrase.

Think of each word as a random character in a typical password. However, instead of being limited to 95 keyboard characters per slot, you can work with 7,776 unique words per position if you use Diceware lists. You can also include spaces or symbols if a site allows them, which further increases the total combinations.

Entropy level (or unpredictability)

Entropy tells you how hard it would be for someone to guess or brute-force your passphrase. The more random and independent each element is, the higher the entropy. For example, picking four words randomly from a 6,000-word list gives more unpredictability than picking four words you like or recognize, since attackers can’t rely on patterns.

Being easy to remember

Randomness doesn’t mean it has to be confusing. A good passphrase works best when you can recall it without writing it down. Choosing words that you can visualize or link together helps you remember the sequence, so you can log in quickly while keeping your account secure.

How to create a strong passphrase

Here’s a quick checklist of what goes into making a strong passphrase and how to keep them away from prying eyes:

1. Go for longer phrases: Four words and 15 characters is the minimum, but don’t hesitate to add more and make it even stronger against attacks.
2. Shuffle your words: Rearranging words makes patterns harder to guess. You can take a familiar sentence or list of words and mix the order so it’s still memorable but less predictable to anyone trying to crack it.
3. Make it easy to remember: Pick words you can visualize or link together in a story. When you can picture the phrase, you’re less likely to forget it, and you’ll find it easier to type on any device. If you run into strict requirements, follow a simple rule like “capitalize every third word and add a #” so you stay consistent and avoid mistakes.
4. Give each account its own phrase: Using the same passphrase everywhere puts all your accounts at risk if one is breached. Use unique phrases for each login, just like you would with regular passwords.
5. Avoid private details: Words like your name, birthday, or address can be found online and make guessing easier. Stick to unrelated words or concepts that can’t be linked back to you personally.
6. Change passphrases periodically: Even strong passphrases aren’t unbreakable forever. Updating them every few months or after a potential data breach keeps your accounts safer and prevents long-term exposure.
7. Don’t share your phrases: Sharing passphrases, even with trusted people, increases the chance they could be leaked or misused—so keep them private.
8. Use a password manager: A good manager remembers all your passphrases, lets you generate new ones, and keeps them organized. This helps you use long, strong phrases without needing to memorize every single one.

Passphrase FAQs