UUID Guide: v4 vs v7 and Using UUIDs as Database Primary Keys
Strings like 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 identify orders, files and API requests everywhere. Learn how UUIDs are generated and which version to choose.
A UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a 128-bit identifier that lets anyone create IDs that will not clash, without asking a central server. Microsoft calls it a GUID. The current standard is RFC 9562, published in 2024.
UUID structure, how versions differ, why collisions are practically impossible, and why UUID v7 is overtaking v4 for database primary keys.Read guide →