terraform/website/docs/language/functions/uuid.mdx

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---
page_title: uuid - Functions - Configuration Language
description: The uuid function generates a unique id.
---
# `uuid` Function
`uuid` generates a unique identifier string.
The id is a generated and formatted as required by
[RFC 4122 section 4.4](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4122#section-4.4),
producing a Version 4 UUID. The result is a UUID generated only from
pseudo-random numbers.
This function produces a new value each time it is called, and so using it
directly in resource arguments will result in spurious diffs. We do not
recommend using the `uuid` function in resource configurations, but it can
be used with care in conjunction with
[the `ignore_changes` lifecycle meta-argument](/language/meta-arguments/lifecycle#ignore_changes).
In most cases we recommend using [the `random` provider](https://registry.terraform.io/providers/hashicorp/random/latest/docs)
instead, since it allows the one-time generation of random values that are
then retained in the Terraform [state](/language/state) for use by
future operations. In particular,
[`random_id`](https://registry.terraform.io/providers/hashicorp/random/latest/docs/resources/id) can generate results with
equivalent randomness to the `uuid` function.
## Examples
```
> uuid()
b5ee72a3-54dd-c4b8-551c-4bdc0204cedb
```
## Related Functions
* [`uuidv5`](/language/functions/uuidv5), which generates name-based UUIDs.