UUID vs NanoID — When to Use Each
Quick Answer: NanoID generates 21-character URL-safe IDs (vs 36-character UUIDs) with comparable collision resistance. Use NanoID for user-facing URLs and short tokens. Use UUID for database primary keys, API resources, and inter-service communication where standardization matters.
FAQ
Is NanoID as safe as UUID?
Default NanoID (21 chars, 126 bits) has similar collision resistance to UUID v4 (122 random bits). Both are safe for unique IDs.
When should I use NanoID over UUID?
Use NanoID for URL slugs, session tokens, and user-facing IDs where shorter strings improve UX. Use UUID when interoperability with databases and other systems matters.