Hash Generator — MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 & SHA-512 Online
A cryptographic hash function takes any input (text, file, data) and produces a fixed-length fingerprint called a hash or digest. Even a single character change produces a completely different hash — this property makes hashing ideal for integrity verification, password storage, checksums, and digital signatures.
Our Hash Generator supports the four most widely used algorithms: MD5 (128-bit), SHA-1 (160-bit), SHA-256 (256-bit), and SHA-512 (512-bit). All hashing happens 100% in your browser using the Web Crypto API and a JavaScript MD5 implementation — your data never leaves your device.
Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Output Size | Speed | Security | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD5 | 128-bit / 32 hex chars | Very fast | ❌ Broken | File checksums, legacy |
| SHA-1 | 160-bit / 40 hex chars | Fast | ⚠️ Deprecated | Git, legacy SSL |
| SHA-256 | 256-bit / 64 hex chars | Fast | ✅ Secure | SSL, Bitcoin, passwords |
| SHA-512 | 512-bit / 128 hex chars | Medium | ✅ Most secure | High-security systems |
Last Updated: April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
A hash is a fixed-length string of characters produced by a hash function from any input. Hashes are used for: verifying file integrity (checksums), storing passwords securely (with salt), digital signatures, data deduplication, and blockchain transaction IDs. A good hash function always produces the same output for the same input, but it is computationally infeasible to reverse.
MD5 is cryptographically broken — collisions (two different inputs producing the same hash) can be computed quickly. Do not use MD5 for security purposes like password hashing or digital signatures. It is still acceptable for non-security use cases like file checksums and cache keys where collision resistance is not required.
For security purposes, use SHA-256 at minimum. For password storage specifically, use a dedicated password hashing algorithm like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 (not raw SHA-256). For checksums and integrity verification where security is not critical, MD5 or SHA-1 are still commonly used. For the highest security requirements, use SHA-512.
Yes. Switch to the "File Input" tab and drop any file. The file is read in your browser using the File API and hashed without being uploaded anywhere. This is useful for verifying file integrity — compare the hash shown here against the published checksum from a software download page.
Hash functions are deterministic — given the same input, they always produce the same output. This is by design. If you change even one character (including adding a space), the hash will be completely different. This "avalanche effect" is what makes hashes useful as fingerprints.