How to Generate JWT Tokens

Learn how to create JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) with custom payloads and signatures for authentication and authorization.

What You Need

• Payload: The data you want to encode (claims)
• Secret: A secret key for signing (HS256/HS512)
• Algorithm: The signing algorithm (HS256 or HS512)

Steps to Generate

1. Open our JWT Generator tool
2. Enter your payload as JSON (include standard claims like sub, exp)
3. Enter a secret key (keep this secure!)
4. Select the algorithm (HS256 recommended)
5. Click "Generate JWT"
6. Copy the generated token

Example Payload

{
  "sub": "1234567890",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "iat": 1516239022,
  "exp": 1516242622
}

Security Best Practices

• Use strong, random secrets (at least 256 bits)
• Set appropriate expiration times
• Never expose your secret key
• Use HTTPS to transmit tokens
• Store tokens securely (httpOnly cookies recommended)