Using Diceware

This page will help you get started with Diceware. You'll be up and running in a jiffy!

To use the Diceware list you will need one or more dice.

Dice come with many board games and are sold separately at toy, hobby, and magic stores.

Secret Agent says,

❗️

"Do not use a computer program or electronic dice generator."

Unless you know how the electronics generate the randomness and can evaluate its strength, stick to old-fashioned real dice. Generating truly random numbers using a computer is very tricky. The so-called random number generators that come with most programming libraries are nowhere near good enough.

For most users dice is by far a better way to select passphrase words.

Step-by-Step InstructionsExample
[1]Download the complete Diceware list or the alternative Beale list and save it on your computer. (The Beale list contains fewer Americanisms and obscure words.) You can also download the Diceware word list in PDF format.Print the list if you like. Then continue with Step [2]
[2]Decide how many words you want in your passphrase. A five word passphrase provides a level of security much higher than the simple passwords most people use.We recommend a minimum of six words for use with GPG, wireless security and file encryption programs. For more information, see the Diceware FAQ. #ADD FAQ PAGE AND LINK HERE
[3]Now roll the dice and write down the results on a slip of paper. Write the numbers in groups of five. Make as many of these five-digit groups as you want words in your passphrase. You can roll one die five times or roll five dice once, or any combination in between. If you do roll several dice at a time, read the dice from left to right.Suppose you want a six word passphrase, as we recommend for most users. You will need 6 times 5, or 30 dice rolls. Let's say they come out as:
1, 6, 6, 6, 5, 1, 5, 6, 5, 3, 5, 6, 3, 2, 2, 3, 5, 6, 1, 6, 6, 5, 2, 2, 4, 6, 4, 3, 2, and 6.
[4]Look up each five digit number in the Diceware list and find the word next to it. For example, 21124 means your next passphrase word would be "clip" (see the excerpt from the list, above).Write down the results on a scrap of paper in groups of five rolls:

1 6 6 6 5
1 5 6 5 3
5 6 3 2 2
3 5 6 1 6
6 5 2 2 4
6 4 3 2 6

You then look up each group of five rolls in the Diceware word list by finding the number in the list and writing down the word next to the number:

1 6 6 6 5 cleft
1 5 6 5 3 cam
5 6 3 2 2 synod
3 5 6 1 6 lacy
6 5 2 2 4 yr
6 4 3 2 6 wok
[5]When you are done, the words that you have found are your new passphrase. Memorize them and then either destroy the scrap of paper or keep it in a really safe place. That's all there is to it!Your passphrase would then be:

cleft cam synod lacy yr wok