# Generate ECDSA key with OpenSSL

DevFeed: [Generate ECDSA key with OpenSSL](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/generate-ecdsa-key-with-openssl-27598.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://gagor.pro/2013/12/generate-ecdsa-key-with-openssl/>)

Author: Tom

Published: 2013-12-17T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Tomasz Gągor](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/tomasz-gagor.md>)

Topics: [ECDSA](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ecdsa.md>), [openssl](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/openssl.md>), [private key](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/private-key.md>)

Tags: [ecdsa](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ecdsa.md>), [generate](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/generate.md>), [linux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux.md>), [openssl](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/openssl.md>), [private-key](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/private-key.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>)

## AI overview

This tutorial explains how to generate an ECDSA private key with OpenSSL, including selecting a curve and using a 256-bit key, followed by creating a self-signed certificate.

## Source excerpt

After the last NSA scandal I've found some time to read some texts about PFS and ECDSA keys lately. I always used RSA keys but wanted to give a try to ECDSA so I wanted to give it a try (test performance, etc). Here is how I've done it. Firstly find your favorite curve. A short tip about bit length and complexity could be found here. From it you will now that using 256 bit ECDSA key should be enough for next 10-20 years.