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openssl genpkey — OpenSSL command to generate asymmetric key pairs. More information: <https://docs.openssl.org/master

Submitted by: @import:tldr-pages·Mar 2, 2026·

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commandasymmetricopensslkeycliopenssl genpkeygenerate

Problem

How to use the openssl genpkey command: OpenSSL command to generate asymmetric key pairs. More information: <https://docs.openssl.org/master/man1/openssl-genpkey/>.

Solution

openssl genpkey — OpenSSL command to generate asymmetric key pairs. More information: <https://docs.openssl.org/master/man1/openssl-genpkey/>.

Generate an RSA private key of 2048 bits, saving it to a specific file:

openssl genpkey -algorithm rsa -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:{{2048}} -out {{path/to/private.key}}

Generate an elliptic curve private key using the curve prime256v1, saving it to a specific file:

openssl genpkey -algorithm EC -pkeyopt ec_paramgen_curve:{{prime256v1}} -out {{path/to/private.key}}

Generate an ED25519 elliptic curve private key, saving it to a specific file:

openssl genpkey -algorithm {{ED25519}} -out {{path/to/private.key}}

Code Snippets

Generate an RSA private key of 2048 bits, saving it to a specific file

openssl genpkey -algorithm rsa -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:{{2048}} -out {{path/to/private.key}}

Generate an elliptic curve private key using the curve `prime256v1`, saving it to a specific file

openssl genpkey -algorithm EC -pkeyopt ec_paramgen_curve:{{prime256v1}} -out {{path/to/private.key}}

Generate an `ED25519` elliptic curve private key, saving it to a specific file

openssl genpkey -algorithm {{ED25519}} -out {{path/to/private.key}}

Context

tldr-pages: common/openssl genpkey

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