UUID Generator

What is a UUID?

A UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a 128-bit number used to identify information in computer systems. UUIDs are designed to be unique without requiring a central coordinator.

UUID Versions

• v4 Random UUID - Generated using random numbers. Most common, provides 122 bits of randomness (~5.3×10^36 possible values).
• v1 Time-based UUID - Generated using the current timestamp and machine MAC address. Sequential and traceable.

Example UUID

550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000

• 8-4-4-4-12 format (32 hex digits + 4 hyphens)
• 128 bits = 16 bytes
• Represented as 36 characters (32 hex + 4 hyphens)

Common Uses

• Database primary keys
• Session identifiers
• Transaction IDs
• File names
• API request tracking