diff --git a/aezeed/bench_test.go b/aezeed/bench_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c54c1794
--- /dev/null
+++ b/aezeed/bench_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package aezeed
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+)
+
+var (
+	mnemonic Mnemonic
+
+	seed *CipherSeed
+)
+
+// BenchmarkFrommnemonic benchmarks the process of converting a cipher seed
+// (given the salt), to an enciphered mnemonic.
+func BenchmarkTomnemonic(b *testing.B) {
+	scryptN = 32768
+	scryptR = 8
+	scryptP = 1
+
+	pass := []byte("1234567890abcedfgh")
+	cipherSeed, err := New(0, nil, time.Now())
+	if err != nil {
+		b.Fatalf("unable to create seed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var r Mnemonic
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		r, err = cipherSeed.ToMnemonic(pass)
+		if err != nil {
+			b.Fatalf("unable to encipher: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	mnemonic = r
+}
+
+// BenchmarkToCipherSeed benchmarks the process of deciphering an existing
+// enciphered mnemonic.
+func BenchmarkToCipherSeed(b *testing.B) {
+	scryptN = 32768
+	scryptR = 8
+	scryptP = 1
+
+	pass := []byte("1234567890abcedfgh")
+	cipherSeed, err := New(0, nil, time.Now())
+	if err != nil {
+		b.Fatalf("unable to create seed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	mnemonic, err := cipherSeed.ToMnemonic(pass)
+	if err != nil {
+		b.Fatalf("unable to create mnemonic: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var s *CipherSeed
+	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
+		s, err = mnemonic.ToCipherSeed(pass)
+		if err != nil {
+			b.Fatalf("unable to decipher: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	b.ReportAllocs()
+
+	seed = s
+}