---
id: diceware
version: "1.0.1"
license: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007 Copyright (C) 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. <https://fsf.org/> Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this license… (full text in the JSON record)
license_treatment: copyleft
maintenance: active
---

# diceware — Passphrases you will remember

License: copyleft · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 1.5M/mo

## What it is and what it does

diceware is a command-line tool that generates passphrases by randomly selecting words from built-in or custom wordlists and concatenating them. It implements the diceware method proposed by Arnold G. Reinhold, which produces passphrases that are both memorable and have high entropy. The tool supports multiple randomness sources (system random or real physical dice), includes wordlists in multiple languages, and allows customization of word count, capitalization, delimiters, and special character insertion.

The package has no runtime dependencies and installs as a pure Python wheel. It works as both a command-line utility and can be configured via a configuration file in your home directory. It supports Python 2.7 and modern Python 3 versions, and is actively maintained with recent releases.

Use it for:

- Generate secure passphrases for personal accounts when you need something memorable but cryptographically strong
- Create password lists for system administrators managing multiple accounts across infrastructure
- Build custom passphrases using your own wordlists or language-specific word sets for international users
- Integrate passphrase generation into security workflows that require high-entropy, human-memorable credentials
- Use physical dice as an entropy source for air-gapped or offline passphrase generation

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

diceware generates memorable passphrases by randomly selecting words from wordlists and concatenating them, following the diceware method for creating cryptographically sound passwords.

Yes. diceware is a lightweight, actively maintained tool with no dependencies, a permissive install profile, and clear security focus. The GPLv3+ copyleft license is straightforward for personal or open-source use. Install it if you need memorable, high-entropy passphrases for personal accounts or system administration; review the license if you plan to integrate it into proprietary software.

## Install

pip install diceware
uv add diceware
poetry add diceware

## Installing diceware

Before you install: Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained with a recent release on 2024-12-24 and an active repository showing 405 stars.

License in practice: Licensed under GPLv3+, a copyleft license requiring that any distributed modifications or derivative works also be released under GPLv3+. Suitable for personal use and open-source projects; review required if integrating into proprietary software.

Quickstart:

$ pip install diceware
$ diceware
MyraPend93rdSixthEagleAid

$ diceware -n 2 -d "_"
Wavy_Baden

Verify before relying:

- Whether the included wordlists are cryptographically validated or signed as claimed in the description
- Real-world entropy guarantees when using system randomness versus physical dice input
- Performance characteristics with very large custom wordlists

## Package facts

- License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007 Copyright (C) 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. <https://fsf.org/> Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this license… (full text in the JSON record) (copyleft)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 1.5M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

passphrase generator, memorable password creation, diceware wordlist, random word passphrase, secure passphrase tool, password entropy, dice-based randomness, passphrase-generation, security-tools, cli-utility

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/diceware) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/diceware/)