Online Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA-3, and BLAKE2b hashes from text or files in one click. Use it as an MD5 hash generator, a SHA256 hash generator, an HMAC builder, and a checksum verifier — 100% in your browser, nothing uploaded.
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Result
SHA-256Enter text and click Generate
All Algorithms
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?
An online hash generator converts text or files into a fixed-length digest using a cryptographic hash function. The same input always produces the same hash, while changing even a single character produces a completely different output. That one-way, deterministic behaviour is what makes hashes ideal for checksums, file integrity checks, digital signatures, cache keys, and fast data comparison.
This hash generator supports MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA3-256, and SHA3-512, with optional HMAC authentication using a secret key. Reach for the dedicated MD5 hash generator for legacy checksums, the SHA-256 hash generator for secure file and data verification, or the SHA-512 generator when you want the largest security margin. Everything runs client-side — your text and files never leave your browser, so it is safe for sensitive data.
New to hashing? Start with hashing vs encryption to understand why a hash can't be "decrypted," then read MD5 vs SHA-256 to see why modern projects have moved off MD5.
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.
BLAKE2b · fast
256/512-bit. Faster than SHA-2 with comparable security. Great for large files.
Want a side-by-side breakdown? Compare them in MD5 vs SHA-256 vs SHA-512 and SHA-256 vs SHA-512.
Common Use Cases
- Verify a download: Hash an ISO, installer, or release archive and compare it against the checksum the publisher lists. A match means the file wasn't corrupted or tampered with in transit.
- Detect duplicate or changed files: Two files with the same hash are byte-for-byte identical, which is handy for de-duplication and change detection.
- Sign API requests with HMAC: Services like AWS, Stripe, and GitHub webhooks authenticate requests with HMAC-SHA256. Enable HMAC mode above, paste your secret key, and generate the signature.
- Generate cache keys and ETags: A fast hash of a URL or payload makes a compact, collision-resistant cache identifier.
- Store data fingerprints: Keep a SHA-256 fingerprint of a record so you can prove later that the content hasn't changed.
File Checksum Verification
Software distributors publish checksums alongside downloads so you can verify file integrity. Upload your file in the File Hash section above, generate the hash, paste the expected checksum, and verify — a green result means the file is intact. For a step-by-step walkthrough on Windows, macOS, and Linux, read our guide to file hash verification. Not sure which algorithm a checksum uses? The hash identifier can detect it from the length and format.
Need Password Hashing?
MD5 and SHA are fast hashes — exactly what you do not want for passwords, because a fast hash is also fast to brute-force. Use our Bcrypt Generator for secure password hashing with a configurable cost factor and built-in salt, and read password hashing with bcrypt and Argon2 to choose the right algorithm. If you have a hash and want to look it up, try the dehash tool for common values.
Latest Articles
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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
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MD5 vs SHA256 vs SHA512: Which Hash Algorithm Should You Use?
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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 HMAC? A Practical Guide to HMAC-SHA256
Learn what HMAC is, how HMAC-SHA256 works, and how to use it to sign API requests, verify webhooks, and authenticate data. With real code examples.
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.