ULID vs UUID

ULID, UUID v7 (Time-Based IDs) and UUID v4 (Random Ids) offers completely different characteristics.

Learn about the data layout and when to prefer one or the other based on your type of database and behaviour you want to obtain.

Learn how ULID can cause hotspots in distributed databases, and how UUID v4 can cause fragmentation and increased disk I/O in traditional B+Tree based databases.

https://youtu.be/2MbFDR7qt5U

Transcript

1. ULID 01H6CEMR6FXX5BCY6G0PE02VRA UUID vs 587f93d8-7b4d-42df-9d83-5832a7c02947 Unix epoch 48bits Random 80bits 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits
2. UUID Universal Unique Identifier
3. UUID ULID Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
4. UUID ULID 128-bits 128-bits Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
5. UUID ULID (16-bytes) 128-bits (16-bytes) 128-bits 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
6. UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data ULID 6-bit reserved for the version and variant Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
7. UUID v4 4bits Version 2bits Variant Random 12bits Random 62bits Random 48bits 4 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data ULID 6-bit reserved for the version and variant 122-bit Random data, Good distribution Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
8. ULID Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID v4 4bits Version 2bits Variant Random 12bits Random 62bits Random 48bits 4 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 6-bit reserved for the version and variant 122-bit Random data, Good distribution 48-bit Timestamp, Big-Endian encoded 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
9. ULID Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID v4 4bits Version 2bits Variant Random 12bits Random 62bits Random 48bits 4 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 6-bit reserved for the version and variant 122-bit Random data, Good distribution Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality 48-bit Timestamp, Big-Endian encoded 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
10. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID v4 4bits Version 2bits Variant Random 12bits Random 62bits Random 48bits 4 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 6-bit reserved for the version and variant 122-bit Random data, Good distribution Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality 48-bit Timestamp, Big-Endian encoded Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
11. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID v4 4bits Version 2bits Variant Random 12bits Random 62bits Random 48bits 4 4bits Version 2bits Variant Random 12bits Random 62bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits 7 UUID v7 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality 48-bit Timestamp, Big-Endian encoded 128-bit (16-bytes) block of data 6-bit reserved for the version and variant 122-bit Random data, Good distribution Universal Unique Identifier Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier
12. Random-Based Ids
13. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 NanoId Cuid2 Random Data Distribution
14. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
15. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
16. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
17. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
18. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
19. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
20. Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
21. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution NanoId Cuid2
22. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
23. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
24. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
25. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A 01H6YGDAJKAYX4K1XJ2WYVNCVQ (+100ms) 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
26. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A 01H6YGDAJKAYX4K1XJ2WYVNCVQ (+100ms) 01H6YGDANQCEWNZC5DMSGRV46J (+200ms) 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
27. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A 01H6YGDAJKAYX4K1XJ2WYVNCVQ (+100ms) 01H6YGDANQCEWNZC5DMSGRV46J (+200ms) 01H6YGZMDFKFXS7M47DW956NWW (+10min) 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
28. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A 01H6YGDAJKAYX4K1XJ2WYVNCVQ (+100ms) 01H6YGDANQCEWNZC5DMSGRV46J (+200ms) 01H6YGZMDFKFXS7M47DW956NWW (+10min) 01H6YGZMGKCY1MG4HM9TWHY2XN (+10min) 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
29. Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A 01H6YGDAJKAYX4K1XJ2WYVNCVQ (+100ms) 01H6YGDANQCEWNZC5DMSGRV46J (+200ms) 01H6YGZMDFKFXS7M47DW956NWW (+10min) 01H6YGZMGKCY1MG4HM9TWHY2XN (+10min) 01H712T1FFXBJ919A0GSQRWMRZ (+24h) 2f52de59-4a7b-45eb-8d71-2df6aa950061 9f108a35-35af-4244-af86-c2222ffb475d efe25407-e91b-4b59-8048-64833b85c7aa 3f56beae-235f-472d-8b40-d80bff249fb9 ace3857f-6b92-483c-a18c-a7c7acd34ea6 e92ee082-4380-4b2e-b599-0bf32d5138ee Random Data Distribution Time-Based Data Locality NanoId Cuid2 Snowflake XID KSUID
30. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits
31. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0
32. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0
33. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0 Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality.
34. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0 Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline.
35. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0 Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. up-to-date databases have UUID type support
36. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0 Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. up-to-date databases have UUID type support or BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys) BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys)
37. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0 Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Opaque non-guessable IDs 
 using the randomness of UUID v4 up-to-date databases have UUID type support or BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys) BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys)
38. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0 Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Temporary non-secure Tokens: 
 the client can check the timestamp for expiration. Opaque non-guessable IDs 
 using the randomness of UUID v4 up-to-date databases have UUID type support or BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys) BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys)
39. ULID Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits UUID 4bits Version 2bits Variant 12bits 62bits 48bits Encoded as a 26 character string using Crockford's Base32 (5bit per character) 01H6YGDAFF12Y7KEZBAPAZRF6A Encoded as a 36 character string using Base16 (4bit per character) 71acfe9a-7fca-4d41-b0d7-1ba36d7343c0 Lexicographically sortable, time-based locality. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Do not require coordination to be generated, and can be generated offline. Temporary non-secure Tokens: 
 the client can check the timestamp for expiration. Event Id chronological order of events Opaque non-guessable IDs 
 using the randomness of UUID v4 up-to-date databases have UUID type support or BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys) BINARY(16) can be used (avoid text format for keys)
40. 4bits Version 2bits Variant Random 12bits Random 62bits Random 48bits 4 Random 80bits Unix epoch (Big Endian) 48bits Time-Based Ids Random-Based Ids UUIDv4 ULID UUIDv7