.htpasswd Generator | Secure Basic Auth Creation

Generate .htpasswd Entries | Secure Basic Authentication

Create hashed credentials for your .htpasswd file in seconds. Protect staging environments, admin panels, and private directories with instant, browser-based Basic Authentication setup.

💡 Why use this tool?

Basic Auth remains a reliable, industry-standard method for securing web directories. This generator creates the required username:hash strings immediately, eliminating the need for terminal access or complex server commands.

Whether you are locking down a new site or managing team access, this tool streamlines your security workflow.

📘 Key Features

  • Choose Your Algorithm: Select bcrypt (recommended for modern security), MD5, or SHA-1 based on your server’s requirements.
  • Batch Processing: Switch to Bulk Mode to generate credentials for multiple users at once by pasting a list of username:password pairs.
  • Client-Side Privacy: Your passwords never leave your browser. All encryption happens locally via JavaScript, ensuring your sensitive data stays private.
  • Verify Inputs: Toggle visibility to double-check your password before generating the hash.

🧐 Frequently Asked Questions

Which algorithm is best? Bcrypt is the modern standard supported by Apache (2.4+) and Nginx. It offers superior protection against brute-force attacks. Use MD5 or SHA-1 only if you are maintaining legacy systems.

How do I deploy the output? Copy the generated line and paste it into a file named .htpasswd on your server. Then, ensure your web server configuration (e.g., .htaccess or nginx.conf) points to that file path.

Is there a user limit? No. However, since bcrypt is computationally intensive, browser performance may slow down when generating hundreds of entries at once.

📚 Technical Context

The .htpasswd format originated with NCSA HTTPd—the precursor to Apache—and has remained a web staple for decades due to its simplicity.

Modern implementations like bcrypt use a "salt" to defend against rainbow table attacks. This ensures that even if two users share the same password, their generated hashes will be unique, providing a critical layer of defense for your server credentials.