#οΈβ£ Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hash values instantly.
How to Use This Tool
Type or paste any text into the input box. SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 hashes all compute at the same time as you type. Paste a known hash into the comparison field to instantly verify whether it matches your input.
Type or paste the text you want to hash into the Input Text box.
All four hash outputs appear automatically below. Click the clipboard button next to any one to copy it.
To verify a file or value, paste the expected hash into the Hash Comparison field.
The comparison result shows a match or mismatch with the corresponding algorithm name.
SHA-256 vs SHA-512 vs SHA-1: Which to Choose
SHA-1 produces a 160-bit digest and is still used for git commit IDs and some legacy systems, but it was broken for collision resistance in 2017 when researchers produced two different PDF files with identical SHA-1 hashes. You should not use SHA-1 for any new security-critical application. SHA-256 is the current workhorse: it is the hash algorithm in Bitcoin proof-of-work, TLS 1.3 certificate signatures, code-signing pipelines, and the vast majority of HMAC implementations in web APIs. At 256 bits it provides a 2^128 security margin against collision attacks, which is considered sufficient for any foreseeable computing environment. SHA-512 doubles the output to 512 bits. On 64-bit hardware, SHA-512 is actually faster than SHA-256 per byte of input because the algorithm uses 64-bit word operations and processes data in larger chunks. SHA-384 is SHA-512 truncated to 384 bits, used primarily in TLS where the NSA Suite B profile specifies it for top-secret communications. For password hashing, none of these are appropriate directly since they are designed to be fast. Use bcrypt, Argon2, or scrypt instead, which are slow by design to resist brute-force attacks.
Common Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cryptographic hash?
A hash function takes input data of any size and produces a fixed-size output (digest). The same input always produces the same hash; any change to input drastically changes the hash.
Can I reverse a hash?
No β hash functions are one-way. You cannot mathematically reverse a hash to get the original input. Short or common inputs can sometimes be looked up in rainbow tables.
What is SHA-256 used for?
SHA-256 is used in Bitcoin mining, TLS certificates, code signing, file integrity checks, and password hashing (with a proper KDF like bcrypt or Argon2).
Is MD5 still secure?
No β MD5 is considered cryptographically broken. It's collision-resistant enough for file checksums but NOT for passwords or security-critical hashing. Use SHA-256 or SHA-3 instead.
What is HMAC?
HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) combines a secret key with the hash to verify both data integrity and authenticity. Used in API authentication signatures.