SSL certificates are cryptographic protocols that ensure secure communication between web servers and clients. The PEM format is a common encryption format for SSL certificates. However, sometimes you may need to convert a PEM certificate to a key format to use it with certain software. In this article, we will explore the steps involved in converting a PEM certificate to a key format.

What is a PEM Certificate?

A PEM certificate is a base64 encoded format that contains the certificate and private key. It is widely used for SSL certificates and is supported by most web servers and browsers. PEM certificates have a file extension of .pem, .crt, .cer, or .key.

Why Convert PEM to Key Format?

Some software requires the private key in a key format rather than a PEM format. For example, some load balancers and reverse proxies require the private key in a key format to terminate SSL connections. To use a PEM certificate with such software, you need to convert it to a key format.

One may need to convert a PEM certificate to a key format to use it with certain software, such as load balancers and reverse proxies. The conversion process can be done using the OpenSSL command-line tool, and the output should start with -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY----- and end with -----END PRIVATE KEY-----.

How to Convert PEM to Key Format

To convert a PEM certificate to a key format, you can use the OpenSSL command-line tool. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1 – Open Terminal

Open Terminal on your computer and navigate to the directory where the PEM certificate is located. You can use the cd command to navigate to the directory.

Step 2 – Convert PEM to Key

Once you are in the directory, use the following OpenSSL command to convert the PEM certificate to a key format:

“`

Replace certificate.pem with the name of your PEM certificate and certificate.key with the name you want to give to the key file.

Step 3 – Verify Key File

After the conversion is complete, verify that the key file is in the correct format by running the following command:

The output should start with -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY----- and end with -----END PRIVATE KEY-----.

FAQs – SSL Convert PEM to Key

What is a PEM file in SSL?

PEM stands for Privacy Enhanced Mail, and it is a base64 encoded file format that is widely used for SSL certificates. A PEM file can contain a private key, a certificate, or both. The PEM format is ASCII armored, which means that the data is stored as text. PEM files are popular because they are easy to read and edit, making them a convenient way to manage SSL certificates.

What is a key file in SSL?

In SSL, a key file contains a private key, which is a secret code that is used to decrypt incoming encrypted messages. The private key is used in conjunction with the public key, which is freely distributed, to establish a secure SSL connection. The key file can be used to generate a certificate signing request (CSR) or to install an SSL certificate on a web server.

Why would I need to convert a PEM file to a key file?

In some cases, you may need to convert a PEM file to a key file in order to install an SSL certificate on a web server. This may be necessary if your web server requires a separate file for the private key. Additionally, some SSL certificate providers may send you a PEM file instead of a key file, in which case you will need to convert the file for use on your server.

How do I convert a PEM file to a key file?

To convert a PEM file to a key file, you can use the OpenSSL command-line tool. First, open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where your PEM file is located. Then, run the following command:

openssl rsa -in example.pem -out example.key

Replace “example.pem” with the name of your PEM file and “example.key” with the desired name for your key file. This command will extract the private key from the PEM file and save it as a separate key file.

Are there any other formats I can convert PEM files to?

Yes, OpenSSL can convert PEM files to a variety of other formats, including DER, PKCS#7, and PKCS#12. To convert a PEM file to a different format, you can use the following commands:

openssl pkcs12 -export -in example.pem -out example.pfx
openssl pkcs7 -print_certs -in example.pem -out example.crt
openssl x509 -outform der -in example.pem -out example.der

Replace “example.pem” with the name of your PEM file and “example.pfx”, “example.crt”, or “example.der” with the desired name for your output file.

Is it safe to convert a PEM file to a key file?

Yes, converting a PEM file to a key file is a safe process as long as you keep the private key file secure. The private key should be protected with a strong password and stored in a secure location. Once the private key is extracted from the PEM file and saved as a key file, the original PEM file can be safely deleted.