PBKDF2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2) is a widely adopted cryptographic algorithm used to securely hash passwords.
Below is a developer-friendly PBKDF2 password hashing and verification tool with built-in security analysis. Instantly generate hashes, validate passwords, inspect salt quality, and understand the security posture of your configuration through an easy-to-read security summary.
Looking for more secure password hashing? Try Argon2, which is resistant to GPU attacks.
| Security Check | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| {{check.name}} | {{check.value}} | {{check.status}} |
{{vm.securitySummary.salt.hex}}
{{vm.securitySummary.salt.base64}}
We do not store, log any key you enter. This tool is intended for personal and educational use. We suggest not to use online tools to protect real production secrets.
PBKDF2 is defined in RFC 8018 and is supported by most modern programming languages and security frameworks, including Java, Spring Security, .NET, and OpenSSL. Its security primarily depends on proper parameter selection such as iteration count, salt size, and key length.
This online PBKDF2 tool allows developers and students to both generate and verify PBKDF2 password hashes using secure server-side cryptography.
The verification feature allows you to check whether a plaintext password matches a previously generated PBKDF2 hash.
During verification, the tool:
This mirrors how password authentication works in real-world backend systems.
The Security Summary provides a clear, human-readable analysis of the cryptographic strength of your PBKDF2 configuration.
Any weak or outdated parameters are flagged with warnings and accompanied by actionable recommendations to improve security.
While PBKDF2 is still widely used, it is important to understand how it compares with other password hashing algorithms such as Argon2, Bcrypt and Scrypt.
| Algorithm | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| PBKDF2 | Standardized, configurable, widely supported | CPU-hard only, limited GPU resistance |
| bcrypt | Built-in salt, adaptive cost | Lower memory usage, slower to evolve |
| Argon2id | Memory-hard, GPU/ASIC resistant, modern design | Newer, less legacy support |
For new applications, Argon2id is generally recommended. PBKDF2 remains a solid choice where compliance, compatibility, or legacy systems are a concern.
If you need message authentication instead of hashing, see HMAC-SHA256 Generator or Poly1305 MAC Generator.
| Algorithm | Purpose | Use for Passwords? |
|---|---|---|
| HMAC-SHA256 | Message authentication | ❌ No |
| Poly1305 | Message authentication | ❌ No |
| Argon2 | Password hashing | ✅ Yes |
| PBKDF2 | Password hashing / KDF | ✅ Yes |
Yes, PBKDF2 is secure when used with a high iteration count, a strong hash algorithm, and a sufficiently long random salt. Poor parameter choices are the most common cause of insecurity.
Current recommendations suggest at least 310,000 iterations for PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256, depending on your performance requirements.
A salt prevents attackers from using precomputed rainbow tables and ensures that identical passwords produce different hashes.
Use Argon2id for new systems when possible. Use PBKDF2 when standards compliance, interoperability, or platform support is require
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