# Seed Phrases

{% hint style="info" %}
Disambiguation: [Seed Phrase vs Private Key](https://docs.allforone.app/glossary/disambiguation/seed-phrase-vs-private-key)
{% endhint %}

A **Seed Phrase**, also known as a recovery phrase or backup phrase, is a series of words that are used to recover the [private keys](https://docs.allforone.app/glossary/definitions/self-custody-wallets/private-keys) of a [self-custody wallet](https://docs.allforone.app/glossary/definitions/self-custody-wallets). If a user loses their private keys or their wallet is otherwise inaccessible, the seed phrase can be used to generate a new set of private keys and regain access to the wallet.

Seed phrases are typically made up of 12-24 words, and are generated when a wallet is first created. They are meant to be kept in a secure location, such as a safe or a password-protected digital file. Because seed phrases are the only way to recover the private keys of a wallet, keep them safe and do not share them with anyone.