Generate EC key

Generate an elliptic-curve key pair on a selected SEC1 curve.

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ToolEC Key Generator
Input
Output
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Preview

How it works

A private scalar is chosen within the curve order and multiplied by the generator point to produce the public point; the key is serialized in the selected SEC1 or PKCS#8 format. The curve parameters define the field, generator, and order used for that multiplication.

  • secp256k1 is common in blockchain tooling, while P-256 is common in Web Crypto and TLS.

Worked example

Generate P-256 Key Pair
Generate an ECDSA P-256 key pair in JWK format
Input
											Curve: P-256
Format: jwk
Output
												=== EC Public Key (P-256, JWK) ===
{
  "crv": "P-256",
  "ext": true,
  "key_ops": [
    "verify"
  ],
  "kty": "EC",
  "x": "aj7Qm5ZhAjDhv-nCudAhDdtw2_8cr1A1KFI8rThs-w4",
  "y": "GIi0Lrl96-ndnFtznnv8M_ZNiOrThAnr6mabRXRKGNc"
}

=== EC Private Key (P-256, JWK) ===
{
  "crv": "P-256",
  "d": "lesTspB1cQpwBTGHdQw8PrnMc2qtuumH3kLCNiNftF4",
  "ext": true,
  "key_ops": [
    "sign"
  ],
  "kty": "EC",
  "x": "aj7Qm5ZhAjDhv-nCudAhDdtw2_8cr1A1KFI8rThs-w4",
  "y": "GIi0Lrl96-ndnFtznnv8M_ZNiOrThAnr6mabRXRKGNc"
}

When to use this

Wallets, TLS clients, and test fixtures generate elliptic-curve keys.

Edge cases

  • A private scalar of zero or at least the curve order is invalid.
  • Compressed and uncompressed public points serialize differently but represent the same point.
  • A private key is secret material and should not be pasted into public logs.

References