What is a license key?

A license key (also called product key, serial number, or activation code) is a unique alphanumeric string used to verify that a software copy is genuine and authorized. License keys serve as proof of purchase and help software developers control distribution, prevent piracy, and manage software activations across different users or devices.

License keys typically follow specific patterns that make them easy to read while remaining difficult to guess. Common formats include groups of characters separated by hyphens, such as XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. The structure often includes a mix of letters and numbers, with some systems excluding ambiguous characters like 0, O, 1, l, and I to prevent user confusion during manual entry.

Tool description

This random license key generator creates unique, customizable license keys for software products, subscriptions, or any system requiring activation codes. It supports multiple preset patterns, custom formats, and various configuration options to match your specific requirements.

Examples

Standard 25-character key (uppercase):

K7M2P-9XNVB-QW4TL-8FJHC-Y3RSD

16-character key with prefix:

PRO-A4BX-K9MN-P2QT-7YHJ

Numbers-only key:

4829-7361-5094-2847

Mixed case with dots:

aK4m.Pq9X.bN7T.yH2J

Features

  • Multiple preset patterns including 25-char, 16-char, 32-char (UUID-like), and compact formats
  • Custom pattern support using X (alphanumeric), A (letters only), and N (numbers only) placeholders
  • Flexible separators including hyphen, colon, dot, space, or no separator
  • Case options for uppercase, lowercase, or mixed case output
  • Bulk generation of up to 1000 keys at once

Options explained

Option Description
Pattern Preset Choose from common license key formats or select "Custom Pattern" to define your own
Custom Pattern Define your own pattern using: X for alphanumeric, A for letters only, N for numbers only, - for separators
Letter Case Set output to uppercase, lowercase, or randomly mixed case
Separator Character used between groups: hyphen (-), colon (:), dot (.), space, or none
Prefix Text added before the generated key (e.g., "PRO", "TRIAL")
Suffix Text added after the generated key (e.g., "2024", "ENT")
Number of Keys Generate between 1 and 1000 keys at once
Exclude Ambiguous Remove characters that look similar (0, O, 1, l, I) to prevent confusion

Use cases

  • Software developers generating activation keys for applications, plugins, or digital products
  • SaaS platforms creating subscription codes or trial keys for user onboarding
  • Gaming companies producing game codes, DLC keys, or promotional redemption codes