About UUIDs & Unique Identifiers
A Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) is a 128-bit label used for information in computer systems. This tool allows you to generate high-entropy, random identifiers that are practically guaranteed to be unique across time and space.
UUID Version 4 (Random)
The most common type is the UUID v4. It is generated using random numbers. With 122 random bits, the probability of a duplicate (collision) is astronomically low—equivalent to generating 1 billion UUIDs every second for 100 years.
Why Use a UUID?
UUIDs are essential for distributed systems where multiple independent nodes need to generate identifiers without communicating. They provide privacy as they do not leak information about the total number of records or the sequence of creation.