Secure Password Generator API for Developers

Generating secure passwords is critical for application security. This guide covers how to use a password generator API to create cryptographically strong passwords with customizable options.

Why Use a Password Generator API?

While you can generate passwords locally, there are several advantages to using an API:

• Cryptographic randomness: Server-side generators use secure random sources
• Consistent implementation: Avoid bugs in custom password generation code
• Customizable options: Easily configure length, character sets, and requirements
• No dependencies: Works in any environment that can make HTTP requests

Understanding Password Entropy

Password strength is measured in bits of entropy. Higher entropy means more resistance to brute-force attacks.

For most applications, aim for at least 70 bits of entropy. Our API calculates and returns the entropy of each generated password.

Using the Password Generator API

GET https://api.tinyfn.io/v1/generate/password?length=16
Headers: X-API-Key: your-api-key

{
  "password": "kX9#mP2$vL7@nQ4!",
  "length": 16,
  "entropy_bits": 105.2,
  "strength": "very_strong"
}

Customization Options

Example: Alphanumeric Only

GET /v1/generate/password?length=20&symbols=false

Example: PIN Code

GET /v1/generate/password?length=6&uppercase=false&lowercase=false&symbols=false

Implementation Examples

JavaScript - User Registration

async function generateTempPassword() {
  const response = await fetch(
    'https://api.tinyfn.io/v1/generate/password?length=12',
    { headers: { 'X-API-Key': process.env.TINYFN_KEY } }
  );
  const { password } = await response.json();
  return password;
}

// Use for temporary passwords sent via email
const tempPassword = await generateTempPassword();
await sendWelcomeEmail(user.email, tempPassword);

Python - Bulk Generation

import requests

def generate_passwords(count: int, length: int = 16) -> list[str]:
    """Generate multiple secure passwords."""
    passwords = []
    for _ in range(count):
        response = requests.get(
            'https://api.tinyfn.io/v1/generate/password',
            params={'length': length},
            headers={'X-API-Key': API_KEY}
        )
        passwords.append(response.json()['password'])
    return passwords

# Generate passwords for new user accounts
new_passwords = generate_passwords(10, length=14)

Shell Script - Quick Password

#!/bin/bash
# Generate a password and copy to clipboard
curl -s "https://api.tinyfn.io/v1/generate/password?length=20" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $TINYFN_KEY" | jq -r '.password' | pbcopy

echo "Password copied to clipboard!"

Security Best Practices

1. Use HTTPS: Always call the API over HTTPS to prevent interception
2. Don't log passwords: Never log generated passwords in production
3. Hash before storing: Use bcrypt, Argon2, or scrypt to hash passwords
4. Set minimum length: Use at least 12 characters for user passwords
5. Expire temporary passwords: Force password change on first login
6. Use unique passwords: Generate fresh passwords for each user/service