Laravel APP_KEY Generator
Generate secure Laravel application keys online - AES-256-CBC compatible, Base64-encoded, cryptographically random
Our Laravel APP_KEY generator creates cryptographically secure application keys for Laravel projects. Each key is a Base64-encoded 32-byte random string compatible with Laravel's AES-256-CBC encryption. Generate keys instantly with optional base64: prefix for direct .env file usage. Perfect for new Laravel installations, key rotation, multi-environment setups, and secure application encryption configuration.
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What is Laravel APP_KEY?
Laravel's APP_KEY is a 32-byte cryptographically secure random string used for encrypting session data, cookies, passwords, and other sensitive information in your Laravel application. It's stored in your .env file with the format APP_KEY=base64:[key] where [key] is the Base64-encoded 32 random bytes. Without this key, Laravel cannot securely encrypt or decrypt data, making it critical for application security.
Laravel uses AES-256-CBC encryption by default, requiring a 32-byte (256-bit) key. The key must be cryptographically random - not predictable or derived from passwords. Our generator uses PHP's random_bytes() to create truly random 32-byte keys, then Base64-encodes them for text-safe storage. The base64: prefix tells Laravel to decode the key before use, ensuring proper 32-byte length for AES-256 encryption.
Laravel Key Generator Options
Count (1-100 keys)
Include base64: Prefix
base64: prefix for direct .env file usage. Disable to get the raw Base64 string without prefix (useful if manually adding the prefix).
How to Use Generated Laravel Keys
[STEP 1] Generate Key
Click EXECUTE GENERATION to create cryptographically secure Laravel APP_KEY values. Each key is 32 random bytes Base64-encoded.
[STEP 2] Copy Your Key
Click any generated key to copy it to clipboard. Keys include the base64: prefix by default for direct .env usage.
[STEP 3] Update .env File
Open your Laravel project's .env file and update or add: APP_KEY=base64:YOUR_GENERATED_KEY_HERE
[STEP 4] Restart Application
Restart your Laravel application (php artisan serve, web server, queue workers) to load the new key. Never change APP_KEY for existing production apps without migrating encrypted data.
Common Use Cases for Laravel Keys
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New Laravel Installation - Generate APP_KEY for fresh Laravel installations. After running
composer create-project laravel/laravel, use our generator instead ofphp artisan key:generateif you need to generate keys offline or for remote servers. - _ Multi-Environment Setup - Generate unique APP_KEY values for each environment (local, development, staging, production). Each environment should have its own unique key for security isolation and proper encrypted data separation.
- _ Key Rotation & Security - Generate new keys for security best practices like periodic key rotation, compromised key replacement, or security audits. Remember to re-encrypt existing data when rotating keys in production.
- _ Docker & CI/CD Pipelines - Generate keys for containerized Laravel deployments, Docker Compose configurations, Kubernetes secrets, CI/CD environment variables, and automated deployment pipelines requiring secure key injection.
- _ Multiple Projects - Quickly generate unique keys for multiple Laravel projects, client applications, microservices, or testing environments requiring isolated encryption keys for security separation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use php artisan key:generate instead?
php artisan key:generate command does the same thing - generates a 32-byte random key and adds it to your .env file automatically. Use our generator when you need offline generation, multiple keys at once, or don't have command-line access to your Laravel project.
What happens if I change APP_KEY in production?
Why 32 bytes for Laravel keys?
What is the base64: prefix for?
base64: prefix tells Laravel that your key is Base64-encoded and needs to be decoded before use. Without this prefix, Laravel treats the value as a raw binary string. Since .env files store text, Base64 encoding makes the binary key text-safe, and the prefix ensures Laravel decodes it properly.
How secure are these generated keys?
random_bytes(32) which leverages operating system entropy sources for cryptographically secure randomness. This meets Laravel's security requirements and provides the same security as php artisan key:generate. Each key has 2^256 possible values, making brute-force attacks computationally infeasible.