The Crypto.getRandomValues()
method lets you get cryptographically strong random values. The array given as the parameter is filled with random numbers (random in its cryptographic meaning).
To guarantee enough performance, implementations are not using a truly random number generator, but they are using a pseudo-random number generator seeded with a value with enough entropy. The pseudo-random number generator algorithm (PRNG) may vary across user agents, but is suitable for cryptographic purposes.
getRandomValues()
is the only member of the Crypto
interface which can be used from an insecure context.
getRandomValues(typedArray)
The same array passed as typedArray
but with its contents replaced with the newly generated random numbers. Note that typedArray
is modified in-place, and no copy is made.
Don't use getRandomValues()
to generate encryption keys. Instead, use the generateKey()
method. There are a few reasons for this; for example, getRandomValues()
is not guaranteed to be running in a secure context.
There is no minimum degree of entropy mandated by the Web Cryptography specification. User agents are instead urged to provide the best entropy they can when generating random numbers, using a well-defined, efficient pseudorandom number generator built into the user agent itself, but seeded with values taken from an external source of pseudorandom numbers, such as a platform-specific random number function, the Unix /dev/urandom
device, or other source of random or pseudorandom data.
const array = new Uint32Array(10);
self.crypto.getRandomValues(array);
console.log("Your lucky numbers:");
for (const num of array) {
console.log(num);
}