How to find out how many characters are in a Wi-Fi password: all methods for routers and devices

Why do you need to know the length of your Wi-Fi password and when is it useful?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need to connect a new device to Wi-Fi, but the password doesn't work—and you can't remember how many characters it has? Or your router requires a security key of a certain length, and you're unsure if your password meets the requirements? Knowing the exact number of characters in your Wi-Fi password can save you time and frustration.

This information will be useful in several cases:

• 🔄 At resetting the router settings - Some models require you to enter a password of the same length as the old one.
• 📱 When connecting devices with password length restrictions (for example, old printers or smart light bulbs).
• 🔒 When checking network security, short passwords (less than 8 characters) are vulnerable to hacking.
• 🛠️ When setting up a guest network, where key length restrictions are often set.

Unfortunately, most devices don't directly display the number of characters in a password—it must be determined through indirect methods. In this article, we'll cover all the working methods for various situations: from viewing it directly on the router to using third-party utilities on a PC or smartphone.

Method 1: View the password in the router settings (the most reliable method)

If you have access to your router's web interface, this is the easiest and most accurate way to find out the password length. Most modern models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) allow you to see the current security key in plain text.

Instructions for most routers:

1. Connect to the router via cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Open your browser and enter the IP address of your device (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
3. Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin).
4. Go to the section Wireless network (or Wi-Fi, Wireless).
5. Find the field Password, Security key or PSK — the current password will be displayed here.
6. Count the number of characters (including letters, numbers and special characters).

On some routers, the password may be hidden behind dots. In this case:

• 🖱️ Click on the password field - an option often appears Show.
• 📝 Copy the password into a notepad and count the characters.
• 🔄 If the password is not displayed, try resetting the router (but this will delete all user data!).

⚠️ Attention: On some routers (for example, Zyxel Keenetic (Older models) the password may not be displayed in the web interface by default. In this case, use the method with connected devices (see the next section).

Method 2: Find out the password length through connected devices (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)

If you don't have access to the router but have a device already connected to Wi-Fi, you can retrieve the password from its settings. The password length will be visible after you view it.

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Managing known networks and select your network.
3. Click Properties → scroll to Network password.
4. Click Show symbols — the password will be displayed in clear text.

For macOS:

1. Open Programs → Utilities → Keychain.
2. Find the name of your Wi-Fi network in the list.
3. Check the box Show password and enter your Mac account password.

For Android:

• 📱 On most smartphones, the password can only be seen with root rights or through ADB.
• 🔌 Alternative: Use apps like WiFi Password Viewer (requires root).

For iOS (iPhone/iPad):

• 🍎 It's impossible to see the password on non-jailbroken iPhones.
• 💻 But if the device has ever been connected to a Mac, the password can be found in Keychain (see instructions for macOS above).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 10+ And iOS 14+ Password extraction without root privileges is blocked for security reasons. If knowing the password length is critical, use the router or PC method.

Method 3: Use the command line (for advanced users)

If you prefer to work through the terminal, you can extract the Wi-Fi password using commands. This method works on Windows And macOS/Linux.

For Windows (via CMD):

netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear

In the commands output, find the line Key content — the password will go here. Count the number of characters (including spaces, if any).

For macOS/Linux (via Terminal):

security find-generic-password -wa "NETWORK_NAME"

On macOS, after entering this command, you will be asked for your account password. Enter it, and the system will display the Wi-Fi key.

On Linux (for example, Ubuntu) passwords are stored in a file /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORK_NAME.nmconnectionOpen it with superuser rights:

sudo cat /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORKNAME.nmconnection | grep psk=

🔹 Important: In Linux, the password may be encrypted - in this case, it will have to be decrypted using additional utilities (for example, nmcli).

nmcli -s -g 802-11-wireless-security.psk connection show "NETWORK_NAME"

Method 4: Check the password length on the router label (if it hasn't been changed)

Many users don't change the default password found on the router's sticker. If you're one of them, you can find the character count right there.

Where to look:

• 📦 On the bottom or back panel of the router (under the inscription Wi-Fi Password, Key, PIN).
• 📄 In the device manual (sometimes the password is duplicated there).
• 🖼️ On the router box (if it still exists).

Standard passwords from manufacturers usually have a fixed length:

⚠️ Attention: If you changed your password after initial setup, the data on the label will be out of date. In this case, use the other methods described in this article.

Method 5: Use mobile apps to analyze Wi-Fi

There are apps that can display information about the connected network, including the password length (if it's stored on the device). Here are the most reliable options:

For Android (root required):

• 📱 WiFi Password Show — shows all saved passwords.
• 🔍 WiFi Analyzer — analyzes networks, but only shows passwords from root.
• 🛡️ Network Analyzer — provides detailed information about the network, including the encryption type (which can be used to indirectly judge the password length).

For iOS (without jailbreak):

• 🍎 Unfortunately, It's impossible to see the Wi-Fi password on iPhones without hacking the system..
• 🖥️ Alternative: Connect your iPhone to your Mac and use A bunch of keys (see method 2).

For Windows/macOS:

• 💻 WirelessKeyView (from NirSoft) is a free utility that displays all saved Wi-Fi passwords.
• 🔧 NetSpot — analyzes networks and can show the security type (WPA2/WPA3), which indirectly indicates the minimum password length.

What to do if none of the methods helped

If you've tried all the methods but still can't find out the password length, there are some drastic measures left:

1. Reset your router to factory settings.
   • 🔄 Press and hold the button Reset (usually located on the back panel) for 10-15 seconds.
   • 📝 After resetting, the password will become the default one (see the router label).
   • ⚠️ Minus: All settings (including guest network, port forwarding, etc.) will be deleted.
2. Call your provider.
   • 📞 Some internet service providers (eg. Rostelecom, Beeline) can provide the router password by phone after identification.
   • 🔐 Check if you've changed it yourself - if not, they'll suggest a standard key.