Hash Generator
Generate cryptographic hashes (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) for text and files. Verify data integrity, create checksums, and ensure file authenticity.
Text Input
Hash Results
Enter text and select algorithms to generate hashes
Quick Examples
Hash Algorithm Information
Recommended Algorithms
- • SHA-256: Industry standard, widely supported
- • SHA-512: Higher security, good for large files
- • SHA-384: Balance between security and performance
Deprecated Algorithms
- • MD5: Broken, vulnerable to collisions
- • SHA-1: Deprecated, avoid for new applications
- • Use only for compatibility with legacy systems
Understanding Cryptographic Hashes
What are Hash Functions?
Hash functions are mathematical algorithms that take input data of any size and produce a fixed-size string of characters. They're designed to be one-way functions - easy to compute the hash from input, but computationally infeasible to reverse.
Cryptographic hash functions have additional properties: they're deterministic, avalanche effect (small input changes cause large output changes), and collision-resistant (hard to find two inputs with the same hash).
Common Use Cases
Hash functions are used extensively in computer security, data integrity verification, digital signatures, password storage, blockchain technology, and file deduplication.
They're essential for verifying that data hasn't been tampered with during transmission or storage, and for creating unique fingerprints of files and data.
Hash Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Output Size | Security Level | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD5 | 128 bits (32 hex chars) | Broken - Do not use for security | File checksums, non-security applications |
| SHA-1 | 160 bits (40 hex chars) | Deprecated - Avoid for new applications | Legacy systems, Git commits |
| SHA-256 | 256 bits (64 hex chars) | Strong - Recommended | Certificates, blockchain, security applications |
| SHA-512 | 512 bits (128 hex chars) | Very Strong - Recommended | High-security applications, large files |
Privacy & Security
All hash generation happens entirely in your browser using the Web Crypto API. No data is sent to external servers or stored online. However, remember that hash functions are one-way - you cannot reverse a hash to get the original data. Use this tool for data integrity verification, checksums, and non-sensitive applications.