CSR Generator Tool
Generate Certificate Signing Request (CSR) Quickly & Easily
Using a CSR generator tool allows you to easily create a CSR and speeds up the process of obtaining an SSL certificate. In this article, we will cover what a CSR is, why it is needed, and how to use a CSR generator tool to create one.
What is a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)?
A CSR is an encoded file that provides data about your company and domain name to a Certificate Authority (CA) so they can generate an SSL certificate specifically for you. It contains information such as:
- Common Name: The main domain name you want the SSL certificate to be issued for (e.g. www.example.com).
- Organization Name: The official legal name of your company, organization, or individual.
- Organizational Unit: The division or department within the organization.
- Locality/City: The city where your organization is legally located.
- State/Province: The state or province where your organization is legally located.
- Country Code: The two-letter ISO code for the country where your organization is legally located (e.g. US for United States).
- Public Key: The public key that will be included in your SSL certificate. The private key is not submitted to the CA.
- Subject Alternative Names (SAN): Any additional domain names or subdomains you want protected by the SSL certificate.
Why is a CSR Needed?
A CSR is required because it contains the public key that corresponds to your private key. The CA uses your CSR information to create an SSL certificate that matches your private key. This allows the certificate to be properly installed on your server and establish an encrypted SSL/TLS connection.
Without a CSR, the CA would not be able to include your public key in the SSL certificate they generate. There would be no way to validate that the SSL certificate was issued specifically for your server. By requiring a CSR, it ensures that you hold the associated private key, and no one can get an SSL certificate issued in your name without access to your private environment.
How to Generate a CSR
The exact steps to generate a CSR will vary depending on your server environment. Here are the general steps:
1. Create Your Private Key
- The private key can be generated using an encryption software or script like OpenSSL. This should be generated directly on your web server.
- The private key file is usually saved with a .key extension and should be kept safely secured.
2. Enter Your Certificate Information
- Open the CSR generation tool and fill out the request details like company name, domain name, locality, etc.
- Any alternate domain names or subdomains need to be entered here for inclusion in the SAN field.
3. Generate the CSR Code
- When you have entered all your information, the tool will generate an encrypted CSR code using your private key.
- Copy and paste this code into a text file and save it with a .csr file extension.
4. Submit it to the Certificate Authority
- Provide the completed CSR file to your selected CA to process your certificate request.
- The CA will validate your details and use the CSR to issue an SSL certificate containing your information and public key.
Once you receive the SSL certificate from the CA, you can install it on your server alongside your private key to activate SSL protection.
Using a CSR Generator Tool
There are many free online CSR generator tools available that simplify and automate the process of creating a CSR code for your SSL certificate.
Here are some benefits of using an online generator tool:
- Quick and easy – Just enter your information once and the tool handles creating the CSR. Much faster than manually generating it via the command line.
- Works on any server – Online tools allow you to create a CSR on any device. You don’t need access to your actual web server.
- Reduces errors – Tool interfaces make it easy to enter all certificate details correctly so there are no mistakes in your finished CSR.
- Compatibility – Tools output the CSR in a standard PEM-encoded format that is compatible with all major CAs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Free CSR Generator Tool
What is the purpose of a CSR?
The CSR contains your public key and certificate request details. This allows a Certificate Authority to generate an SSL certificate specifically for your server and private key pair. The CSR ensures your SSL certificate properly ties to your private environment.
What information is contained in a CSR?
The CSR includes identifying details such as organization name, domain name, server location, and public key. It does NOT contain your private key. This information is validated by the CA to issue your certificate.
Do I need to generate a new CSR for renewal certificates?
In most cases you can reuse the original CSR when renewing an SSL certificate, as long as the details are still accurate and you still hold the associated private key. It’s recommended to generate a new CSR annually.
Can I use an online CSR generator if my key is on my server?
Yes, you don’t need access to your live server and private key to generate the CSR. The CSR only contains the public key and does not expose or transmit the private key.
How long does it take for a CA to issue my certificate using a CSR?
The issuance time varies by CA. Some process CSRs instantly while others require between 24-48 hours. The certificate still needs to be installed on your server once issued.