---
title: random
order: 31
description: Documentation of Meteor's `random` package.
---

The `random` package provides several functions for generating random
numbers. It uses a cryptographically strong pseudorandom number generator when
possible, but falls back to a weaker random number generator when
cryptographically strong randomness is not available (on older browsers or on
servers that don't have enough entropy to seed the cryptographically strong
generator).

<dl class="callbacks">
{% dtdd name:"Random.id([n])" %}
Returns a unique identifier, such as `"Jjwjg6gouWLXhMGKW"`, that is
likely to be unique in the whole world. The optional argument `n`
specifies the length of the identifier in characters and defaults to 17.
{% enddtdd %}}

{% dtdd name:"Random.secret([n])" %}
Returns a random string of printable characters with 6 bits of
entropy per character. The optional argument `n` specifies the length of
the secret string and defaults to 43 characters, or 256 bits of
entropy. Use `Random.secret` for security-critical secrets that are
intended for machine, rather than human, consumption.
{% enddtdd %}}

{% dtdd name:"Random.fraction()" %}
Returns a number between 0 and 1, like `Math.random`.
{% enddtdd %}}

{% dtdd name:"Random.choice(arrayOrString)" %}
Returns a random element of the given array or string.
{% enddtdd %}}

{% dtdd name:"Random.hexString(n)" %}
Returns a random string of `n` hexadecimal digits.
{% enddtdd %}}
</dl>

---
title: random
order: 31
description: Documentation of Meteor's `random` package.
---

The `random` package provides several functions for generating random
numbers. It uses a cryptographically strong pseudorandom number generator when
possible, but falls back to a weaker random number generator when
cryptographically strong randomness is not available (on older browsers or on
servers that don't have enough entropy to seed the cryptographically strong
generator).

{% apibox "Random.id" %}
{% apibox "Random.secret" %}
{% apibox "Random.fraction" %}
{% apibox "Random.choice" %}
{% apibox "Random.hexString" %}

Use apibox to reference Random functions
Use apibox to reference Random functions
