Seed phrases (also known as mnemonic phrases) use 12-24 words instead of random characters for a few key reasons:
1. Human Readability and Ease of Use
- A sequence of words is much easier for humans to read, write, and remember compared to a string of random alphanumeric characters.
- Typing or writing a phrase like “horse battery staple correct” is far less error-prone than something like “G7bX@kL#9z3!”.
2. Error Resistance
- Words reduce the chances of transcription errors. Many seed phrase systems use a fixed word list (e.g., BIP-39’s list of 2,048 words), ensuring that even minor errors can be detected and corrected.
3. Deterministic Wallets & Easy Backup
- A seed phrase allows for deterministic key generation, meaning it can be used to regenerate all of a user’s private keys.
- This enables simple backup and recovery: instead of saving multiple private keys, users only need to secure one phrase.
4. Security Through Entropy
- A 12-word seed phrase offers 128 bits of entropy, while a 24-word phrase provides 256 bits, making brute-force attacks computationally infeasible.
- Even though words seem simpler than a random character string, they are chosen in a way that ensures a high level of randomness and security.
5. Cross-Compatibility
- Most modern wallets follow BIP-39 (Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 39), ensuring that a seed phrase can restore access across multiple wallets and devices.
6. Offline Storage & Safety
- Unlike password-based systems that require online verification, a seed phrase can be stored completely offline, reducing exposure to hacks or phishing attempts.
Conclusion
While random alphanumeric characters might seem more secure at first glance, seed phrases provide a strong balance of security, usability, and error prevention—which is why they are the standard for securing cryptocurrency wallets today.
Read : Can hardware wallets be hacked through physical tampering?
