30+ Password Statistics: Breaches, Behavior & Passkeys (2026)
The average person has 100+ passwords — and “123456” is still the most common. Here are 30+ password statistics covering breach data, user behavior, password manager adoption, and the shift to passkeys for 2026.
Key Password Statistics (2026)
- Average person manages 100+ passwords (NordPass)
- “123456” remains the world’s most common password
- Stolen credentials are used at some stage in 39% of data breaches (Verizon DBIR 2026)
- Only 36% of US adults use a password manager (Security.org)
- 62% always or mostly reuse the same password or a variation (LastPass)
- 53% of people have enabled passkeys on at least one account (FIDO Alliance)
Password Usage & Behavior
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average passwords per person | 100+ | NordPass |
| Always or mostly reuse a password or a variation | 62% | LastPass |
| Use the same few passwords on all accounts | 18% | Security.org |
| Write passwords on paper | 25% | Security.org |
| Save passwords in an unencrypted note or on paper | 45% | Security.org |
Most Common Passwords
| # | Password | Time to Crack |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123456 | < 1 second |
| 2 | password | < 1 second |
| 3 | 123456789 | < 1 second |
| 4 | 12345678 | < 1 second |
| 5 | qwerty123 | < 1 second |
| 6 | 1234567890 | < 1 second |
| 7 | qwerty1 | < 1 second |
| 8 | 111111 | < 1 second |
| 9 | 12345 | < 1 second |
| 10 | abc123 | < 1 second |
Password Breaches & Security
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Breaches using stolen credentials at any stage | 39% | Verizon DBIR 2026 |
| Breaches starting with credential abuse | 13% (down from 22%) | Verizon DBIR 2026 |
| Average cost of a data breach | $4.99 million | IBM 2026 |
| Compromised credentials on dark web (2022) | 24 billion+ | Digital Shadows |
| Time to identify and contain a breach | 247 days average | IBM 2026 |
| Credential stuffing attacks/day | Millions | Akamai |
| MFA blocks automated account attacks (2019) | 99.9% | Microsoft |
Password Manager Adoption
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US adults using a password manager | 36% (about 94 million, up from 34%) | Security.org |
| Google and Apple share of the password manager market | 55%+ | Security.org |
| Save passwords in the browser | 34% | Security.org |
| Non-users open to adopting one | 75%+ | Security.org |
Passkeys & the Future
- 53% of people have enabled passkeys on at least one account, and 22% on every account they can (FIDO Alliance survey, 2024) (FIDO Alliance)
- Apple, Google, Microsoft all support passkeys across platforms
- Passkeys are phishing-resistant — no password to steal
- Amazon reports 6x faster sign-ins with passkeys, and Google a 4x higher sign-in success rate (FIDO Alliance)
Key Takeaways
- Passwords are broken. 62% reuse them, “123456” is still #1, and stolen credentials show up in 39% of breaches.
- MFA is the single best defense. It blocks 99.9% of automated attacks. Enable it everywhere.
- Password managers are underused. Only 36% of US adults use one. Free options exist in every browser.
- Passkeys are the future. 53% of people have enabled at least one. All major platforms support them.
Sources
- NordPass — Most Common Passwords 2025
- Verizon — 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report
- IBM — Cost of a Data Breach 2026
- Security.org — Password Manager Report
- LastPass — Psychology of Passwords
- FIDO Alliance — Passkeys
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common password?
“123456” has been the most common password for years. All top 10 most common passwords can be cracked in under 1 second.
How many passwords does the average person have?
The average person manages 100+ passwords, according to NordPass. 62% always or mostly reuse the same password or a variation.
What percentage of breaches involve passwords?
Stolen credentials are used at some stage in 39% of breaches, per Verizon’s 2026 DBIR, and credential abuse was the way in for 13%. The average breach costs $4.99 million and takes 247 days to identify and contain (IBM 2026).
Are passkeys replacing passwords?
Gradually. In a 2024 FIDO Alliance survey, 53% of people had enabled passkeys on at least one account. Apple, Google, and Microsoft all support them. They’re phishing-resistant, and Amazon reports sign-ins 6x faster than with passwords.
For website security, see our Hacking Statistics and WordPress Security Statistics.
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