OpenPGP Message Encrypt & Decrypt
Encrypt text to recipient public keys or decrypt an armored message with a matching private key
OpenPGP encrypts a message to one or more recipient public keys. A matching private key is needed to decrypt it. This differs from the site's password-based AES workflow, where both people share one passphrase.
- The recipient creates a key pair, protects the private key, and shares only the public key.
- The sender pastes the plaintext and recipient public key, then compares the displayed fingerprint through a trusted channel.
- The sender encrypts and shares the complete armored message.
- The recipient decrypts with the matching private key and its passphrase.
Confirm the complete public-key fingerprint with the owner through a separate, trusted channel. This message form does not sign messages, verify signatures, discover recipients, contact keyservers, or use Web Key Directory lookups.
This tool has a versioned public record with three synthetic cases. Each expected result is recomputed from the production diagnostic core during the release check; the record also publishes fixture and source SHA-256 digests.
OPENPGP-RECIPIENT-READY-001validOne synthetic Curve25519 public key is readable and has an encryption-capable subkey.OPENPGP-WRONG-BLOCK-TYPE-002mismatchAn armored message block is pasted where a recipient public key is required.Expected code:INVALID_PUBLIC_KEY.OPENPGP-ARMOR-TRUNCATED-003malformedA public-key armor header is present but the block is incomplete.Expected code:INVALID_PUBLIC_KEY.
Open the complete citation evidence record (JSON)
Implementation source-sha256:6a846851ab76c7d0; verified 2026-09-05. The record lists the inputs, checks and limits for each example. Include those details when citing a result.
Where do I get an OpenPGP public key?
Ask the recipient to share their armored public key and full fingerprint. They can create a new pair with the OpenPGP Key Pair Generator or a managed tool such as GnuPG.
Can this page confirm that a public key belongs to someone?
No. Compare the key fingerprint with the recipient through a trusted channel before encrypting sensitive text.
Can I sign or verify messages here?
Not in this workflow. It is limited to encrypting and decrypting armored text messages.
What if I only have a passphrase?
Use the Encrypt Tool. OpenPGP recipient encryption requires a public key.