Strong Password Generator 24 Characters: When to Go Longer

Introduction

While 16 characters is excellent for most accounts, there are situations where going to 24 characters makes sense. This guide explains when 24-character passwords are necessary, how they compare to shorter options, and how to use them effectively.

When 24 Characters Makes Sense

Critical Systems

Root/administrator access:

• Complete system control
• Single point of failure
• Justify extra security

Database master passwords:

• Access to all data
• Backup encryption keys
• Long-term storage

Cryptocurrency wallets:

• Irreversible transactions
• No password reset
• High-value targets

Long-Term Security

Passwords that must remain secure for decades:

• Encrypted archives
• Legal documents
• Estate planning data
• Historical records

Future-proofing: 24 characters will remain secure even as computing power increases.

Compliance Requirements

Some regulations mandate:

• Government systems: 20+ characters
• Military applications: 24+ characters
• Financial institutions: Varies by risk level

No 2FA Available

If two-factor authentication isn't possible:

• Legacy systems
• Offline systems
• Air-gapped networks

Compensate with maximum password length.

Security Analysis

Entropy Calculation

24-character password with all character types (94 possible):

Entropy = 24 × log₂(94)
Entropy = 24 × 6.55
Entropy ≈ 157 bits

Comparison: | Length | Entropy | Security Level | |--------|---------|----------------| | 12 chars | 79 bits | Adequate | | 16 chars | 105 bits | Excellent | | 20 chars | 131 bits | Excellent+ | | 24 chars | 157 bits | Maximum | | 32 chars | 210 bits | Overkill |

Learn more about password entropy.

Brute Force Resistance

Time to crack (modern GPU):

24-character password (all types):

• Combinations: 3.2 × 10^47
• Time: 10^35 years
• Universe age: 10^10 years

For perspective: Would take longer than the universe will exist.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computers could theoretically halve effective entropy:

• 24 chars (157 bits) → ~78 bits effective
• Still extremely strong
• Quantum-resistant

Comparison:

• 16 chars → 52 bits effective (good)
• 20 chars → 65 bits effective (excellent)
• 24 chars → 78 bits effective (maximum)

24 vs Other Lengths

24 vs 16 Characters

16 characters:

K9#mL2$pQ7@nR4!v

• Entropy: 105 bits
• Secure for decades
• Recommended standard

24 characters:

K9#mL2$pQ7@nR4!vXt8&Yz3*

• Entropy: 157 bits
• Secure indefinitely
• Maximum security

Difference: 52 bits = 4.5 quadrillion times more secure

When to use 24: Critical systems, long-term storage

24 vs 20 Characters

20 characters:

K9#mL2$pQ7@nR4!vXt8&

• Entropy: 131 bits
• Excellent security
• Good for important accounts

24 characters:

K9#mL2$pQ7@nR4!vXt8&Yz3*

• Entropy: 157 bits
• Maximum security
• Best for critical systems

Difference: 26 bits = 67 million times more secure

Practical impact: Both are effectively uncrackable; 24 provides extra margin.

24 vs 32 Characters

24 characters: 157 bits 32 characters: 210 bits

Difference: 53 bits more entropy

Practical impact: Both are overkill for most purposes

When 32 makes sense: Compliance requirements, extreme paranoia

Read more: 20 vs 32 Character Passwords

Usability Considerations

With Password Manager

Impact: Zero

Why:

• Auto-filled instantly
• Copy/paste works perfectly
• Length doesn't affect usability

Recommendation: Use 24 characters for critical accounts when using password manager.

Manual Entry

Impact: Significant

Challenges:

• Takes 30-60 seconds to type
• High error rate
• Difficult to verify
• Frustrating experience

When unavoidable:

• Use passphrase instead
• Or accept the inconvenience for critical systems

Mobile Devices

With password manager: No issue (auto-fill)

Without password manager: Very difficult

• Switching between keyboards
• Easy to make mistakes
• Time-consuming

Solution: Always use password manager on mobile

Practical Use Cases

Password Manager Master Password

Recommendation: 20-24 characters

Why:

• Protects all other passwords
• You'll type it occasionally
• Worth the extra security

Format options:

Passphrase (easier to type):

correct horse battery staple mountain coffee sunrise

Random (maximum security):

K9#mL2$pQ7@nR4!vXt8&Yz3*

Compare: Passphrases vs Random Passwords

Database Credentials

Recommendation: 24-32 characters

Why:

• Access to all application data
• Rarely typed (stored in config)
• No downside to maximum length

Example:

K9mL2pQ7nR4vXt8Yz3Bw6Jq1Fp5Hd9Mk2Ns7Gt4

Learn more: Secure Password Maker for Developers

Encryption Keys

Recommendation: 24-32 characters

Why:

• Protects encrypted data
• Long-term security needed
• Never typed manually

Example:

Bw6Jq1Fp5Hd9Mk2Ns7Gt4Lp8Qr9Vx2Yz5Cw7Dx3

Root/Admin Accounts

Recommendation: 24 characters

Why:

• Complete system access
• High-value target
• Justify inconvenience

With 2FA: 20 characters acceptable Without 2FA: 24 characters minimum

Cryptocurrency Wallets

Recommendation: 24-32 characters

Why:

• Irreversible if compromised
• No password reset
• High financial value

Plus: Hardware wallet for additional security

Generation Best Practices

Using Our Tool

Our Strong Password Generator makes 24-character passwords easy:

1. Set length slider to 24
2. Enable all character types
3. Click "Generate"
4. Copy to password manager
5. Never try to memorize

Character Distribution

Good distribution:

K9#mL2$pQ7@nR4!vXt8&Yz3*

• Mixed throughout
• No patterns
• Truly random

Poor distribution:

KKKKLLLL2222####vvvvXXXX

• Clustered by type
• Obvious pattern
• Weaker security

Avoiding Patterns

Don't:

• Repeat shorter password
• Use keyboard patterns
• Include personal info
• Follow any system

Do:

• Use random generation
• Let tools decide
• Trust the randomness

Storage and Management

In Password Manager

Store with:

• Account name
• Username
• URL
• Notes (security questions, etc.)
• Tags (critical, 24-char, etc.)

Backup:

• Export encrypted backup monthly
• Store in separate secure location
• Test restore process

Physical Backup

For critical passwords:

• Write down on paper
• Store in safe or safety deposit box
• Seal in envelope
• Update when changed

Never store:

• In email
• In cloud storage (unencrypted)
• On sticky notes
• In plain text files

Emergency Access

Set up in password manager:

• Designate trusted person
• Time delay (24-48 hours)
• You can deny if not emergency

Critical for: Estate planning, family emergencies

Common Questions

"Is 24 characters overkill?"

For most accounts: Yes, 16 characters is sufficient

For critical systems: No, justified by importance

With password manager: No downside, so why not?

"Will 24 characters slow down login?"

No: Hashing time is identical regardless of length (up to system maximum)

Server-side: Same processing time

Client-side: Negligible difference

"Can I use a 24-character passphrase?"

Yes, but:

• Random 24-char password: 157 bits
• 24-char passphrase: ~50-60 bits

Random password is much stronger for same length.

"What if the system limits length?"

If limited to less than 24:

• Use maximum allowed
• Enable 2FA
• Consider switching providers

Most modern systems: Support 64+ characters

Migration Strategy

Upgrading to 24 Characters

Identify candidates:

• Password manager master password
• Root/admin accounts
• Database credentials
• Cryptocurrency wallets
• Long-term encrypted archives

Process:

1. Generate 24-character password
2. Update on system
3. Update in password manager
4. Test access
5. Update backup

Timeline: 1-2 critical accounts per week

Testing Before Committing

Always test:

1. Generate password
2. Set on account
3. Log out
4. Log back in
5. Verify on all devices

Before: Closing signup page or deleting old password

Best Practices

1. Use for Critical Accounts Only

24 characters for:

• Password manager
• Root access
• Databases
• Cryptocurrency
• Long-term archives

16 characters for:

• Standard accounts
• Daily use
• Most websites

2. Always Use Password Manager

Don't try to:

• Memorize 24-character passwords
• Type them manually
• Write them on paper (except backup)

Do:

• Store in password manager
• Use auto-fill
• Keep encrypted backup

3. Combine with 2FA

Even with 24 characters:

• Enable 2FA
• Use hardware key for critical accounts
• Save backup codes

Defense in depth: Multiple layers of security

4. Regular Audits

Quarterly:

• Review critical passwords
• Verify 24-char passwords still in use
• Check for compromises
• Update if needed

Don't rotate: Unless compromised (see rotation guide)

5. Document Your Strategy

Keep record of:

• Which accounts use 24-char passwords
• Why they need extra security
• Where backups are stored
• Emergency access procedures

Not the passwords themselves: Just the strategy

Measuring Success

Good Security Posture

Indicators:

• ✅ Critical accounts use 24+ characters
• ✅ All stored in password manager
• ✅ 2FA enabled on critical accounts
• ✅ Encrypted backups maintained
• ✅ No security incidents

Poor Security Posture

Indicators:

• ❌ Critical accounts use short passwords
• ❌ Trying to memorize 24-char passwords
• ❌ No 2FA on critical accounts
• ❌ No backups
• ❌ Frequent lockouts

Conclusion

24-character passwords are ideal for:

✅ Password manager master password
✅ Root/administrator accounts
✅ Database credentials
✅ Cryptocurrency wallets
✅ Long-term encrypted archives
✅ Systems without 2FA

Not necessary for:

• Standard website accounts
• Social media
• Shopping sites
• Entertainment services

Key points:

• 157 bits of entropy
• Effectively uncrackable
• Quantum-resistant
• Future-proof
• No usability impact with password manager

Recommendation:

• Use 16 characters as standard
• Use 20 characters for important accounts
• Use 24 characters for critical systems
• Always use password manager
• Always enable 2FA

Ready to create 24-character passwords for your critical systems? Use our Strong Password Generator to generate maximum-security passwords instantly.

Related Reading

• 20-Character vs 32-Character Passwords: What Should You Choose?
• Strong Password Generator 16 Characters: Why 16 Is a Great Baseline
• Password Length vs Complexity: Which Matters More?