Fully random passwords are the strongest option, but they're impossible to memorize — which is fine for accounts stored in a password manager, and a real problem for the handful of passwords someone actually needs to type from memory (a device passcode, a password manager's own master password).
The Passphrase Method
Instead of a random string, a passphrase strings together several unrelated words. It's long enough to be strong, but structured in a way the human brain can actually hold onto.
Example
Compare "T7$mK2!qR" (hard to remember, only 9 characters) against "correct-horse-lantern-42" (24 characters, genuinely memorable after seeing it once or twice). The second is both easier to recall and, due to its length, significantly harder to crack.
Free Password Generator — Passphrase Option
Some free generators include a passphrase mode specifically for this — generating random word combinations instead of random characters.
How to Build a Strong Passphrase
- Use 4–5 unrelated words — unrelated matters, since a phrase from a familiar quote or lyric is easier to guess.
- Separate the words with a symbol or number for extra strength.
- Reserve this method for the few passwords you truly need to memorize; let a password manager handle everything else with fully random passwords.
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