What is an identicon?

An identicon is a small image generated automatically from a piece of data, usually a hash of a username or email. It gives every user a unique, recognizable default avatar without needing them to upload a photo.

Why is the same seed always the same avatar?

The seed is run through a deterministic hash function, so identical input always produces identical output. This means a user's avatar stays stable across sessions and devices without storing an image.

What hash does the tool use?

It uses FNV-1a, a fast non-cryptographic 32-bit hash. The hash value selects the avatar's hue, and further mixing fills a symmetric grid of squares, giving a distinct but reproducible pattern per seed.

Why is the pattern symmetric?

The grid is mirrored left to right, so only the left three columns are independent and the right two are reflections. Symmetry makes the shapes read as a coherent emblem rather than random noise, the same approach popular identicon styles use.

Is the seed sent anywhere?

No. Hashing and rendering happen entirely in your browser, so the seed string and the resulting avatar never leave your device.

Avatar Identicon Generator

When a user has not uploaded a profile photo, an identicon gives them a unique visual identity for free. This generator turns any string into a clean, symmetric geometric avatar that is identical every time for the same input.

How it works

The seed string is hashed with FNV-1a, a fast 32-bit non-cryptographic hash:

hash = 0x811c9dc5
for each char:
  hash = hash XOR charCode
  hash = hash * 0x01000193   (32-bit)

The hash drives two things. First, hash mod 360 becomes the avatar’s hue, kept at a fixed saturation and lightness so colors stay legible. Second, the bits of the hash (further mixed per cell) fill a 5x5 grid. Only the left three columns are decided independently; columns four and five mirror columns two and one, so the result is always left-to-right symmetric. The filled cells are drawn as colored squares on your chosen background and exported as a crisp, scalable SVG.

Notes and tips

Because the avatar is pure SVG, it scales to any size without blurring and stays tiny in file size. For best results, seed with a stable identifier such as a user ID or a lowercased, trimmed email rather than a display name that might change. You can store just the seed in your database and regenerate the avatar on demand, avoiding image storage entirely. Pair the auto-derived colors with a neutral background like light gray for a polished, app-ready look.