Hash Generator

Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512, and SHA-3 hashes. Everything runs in your browser.

Result

SHA-256

Enter text and click Generate

Hash Algorithms

Explore dedicated pages for each algorithm with in-depth explanations, examples, and FAQs.

File Hash

Drop a file here or click to browse

Up to 50 MB

Compare Hashes

What is a Hash Generator?

A hash generator converts any input — text or files — into a fixed-length string using a cryptographic hash function. Even a single character change produces a completely different output, making hashes ideal for verifying data integrity.

This tool supports MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA3-256, and SHA3-512, with optional HMAC authentication. Everything runs client-side — your data never leaves your browser.

Supported Algorithms

MD5 · weak

128-bit. Fast but cryptographically broken. Use only for checksums.

SHA-1 · weak

160-bit. Deprecated for security. Still used in legacy systems.

SHA-256 · strong

256-bit. Industry standard. Used in TLS, Bitcoin, and code signing.

SHA-512 · strong

512-bit. Maximum security for high-sensitivity applications.

SHA3-256 · modern

Keccak sponge construction. Independent security from SHA-2.

SHA3-512 · modern

Highest security margin of all supported algorithms.

File Checksum Verification

Software distributors publish checksums alongside downloads so you can verify file integrity. Upload your file, generate the hash, paste the expected checksum, and verify — a green result means the file is intact.

Need Password Hashing?

MD5 and SHA are fast hashes — not designed for passwords. Use our Bcrypt Generator for secure password hashing with configurable cost factor and built-in salt.

Latest Articles

View all

How to Verify File Integrity with Hash Checksums

Learn how to verify file integrity using hash checksums. Step-by-step guide for Windows, macOS, and Linux with MD5, SHA-256, and online tools.

Hashing vs Encryption: What's the Difference and When to Use Each

Understand the key differences between hashing and encryption. Learn when to use each, common algorithms, and avoid the mistakes that lead to security breaches.

MD5 vs SHA256 vs SHA512: Which Hash Algorithm Should You Use?

Compare MD5, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hash algorithms. Learn which is secure, which is broken, and which to use for passwords, file integrity, and security.

MD5 vs SHA-256: Why MD5 Is Broken and How to Migrate

Learn why MD5 is cryptographically broken, how SHA-256 compares, and how to migrate from MD5 to SHA-256 in your applications. Includes practical code examples.

How to Store Passwords Securely: bcrypt, Argon2, and scrypt Explained

Learn how to hash passwords securely with bcrypt, Argon2, and scrypt. Understand why MD5 and SHA are wrong for passwords and implement secure storage.

SHA-256 vs SHA-512: Which Hash Algorithm Should You Use?

Compare SHA-256 and SHA-512 in depth. Learn the differences in output size, speed, security, and when to use each algorithm for your project.

What is SHA-256? The Hash Algorithm That Secures Bitcoin and the Internet

Learn how SHA-256 works, why it's secure, and where it's used -- from Bitcoin mining to TLS certificates. Complete guide to the world's most important hash algorithm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hash function?
A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that converts an input of any size into a fixed-size string of characters. This output, called a hash or digest, is unique to the input data—any small change in the input produces a completely different hash.
What is the difference between MD5 and SHA-256?
MD5 produces a 128-bit hash and is faster but considered cryptographically broken. SHA-256 produces a 256-bit hash and is significantly more secure, making it the recommended choice for security-sensitive applications.
What is HMAC?
HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) is a specific construction for creating a message authentication code using a cryptographic hash function combined with a secret key. It provides both data integrity and authentication.
What is SHA-3 and how does it differ from SHA-256?
SHA-3 (Keccak) is the newest SHA family member, standardized by NIST in 2015. Unlike SHA-2, SHA-3 uses a sponge construction — meaning even if SHA-2 were compromised, SHA-3 would remain secure.
Is my data safe?
Yes. All hashing runs entirely in your browser using the Web Crypto API and JavaScript libraries. No data is ever sent to our servers.
What is the maximum file size?
The maximum file size is 50 MB. For larger files, use command-line tools like sha256sum or openssl.
Can I verify a downloaded file?
Yes. Upload the file to generate its hash, then paste the expected checksum into the Verify field to compare.