Hash Generator
Generate cryptographic hashes for your text
About Hash Functions
What are Cryptographic Hash Functions?
A cryptographic hash function is a mathematical algorithm that maps data of arbitrary size to a fixed-size string of bytes. The hash is typically displayed as a hexadecimal number.
Common Use Cases:
- • Data Integrity: Verify files haven't been tampered with
- • Password Storage: Store password hashes instead of plain text
- • Digital Signatures: Create unique fingerprints of data
- • Checksums: Verify data transmission integrity
Algorithm Comparison:
- • MD5: Fast but cryptographically broken, use only for checksums
- • SHA-1: Deprecated for security, but still used for git commits
- • SHA-256: Current standard for most applications
- • SHA-512: More secure but slower, used for sensitive data
MD5 and SHA-1 are no longer considered secure for cryptographic purposes.
How to Use
- 1
Enter your text
Type or paste the text you want to hash in the input field. The tool supports any text including passwords, API keys, or file contents.
- 2
View generated hashes
See instant results for MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 algorithms. Each hash is computed in real-time as you type.
- 3
Copy the hash
Click the copy button next to any hash to copy it to your clipboard. You can also use the share button to export all results.
- 4
Verify data integrity
Compare generated hashes with known values to verify data integrity or check if two pieces of data are identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512?
What is the difference between MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512?
These are different cryptographic hash algorithms with varying security levels and output sizes. MD5 produces 128-bit hashes but is cryptographically broken. SHA-1 (160-bit) is deprecated for security. SHA-256 (256-bit) is the current standard for most applications. SHA-512 (512-bit) provides even stronger security but is slower.
Are hash functions reversible?
Are hash functions reversible?
No, cryptographic hash functions are one-way functions. You cannot reverse a hash to get the original input. This property makes them ideal for storing passwords and verifying data integrity without exposing the original data.
Why do different inputs sometimes produce the same hash?
Why do different inputs sometimes produce the same hash?
This is called a hash collision and is theoretically possible but extremely rare for strong algorithms like SHA-256. For MD5 and SHA-1, collisions can be intentionally created, which is why they are no longer considered secure for cryptographic purposes.
Should I use these hashes for password storage?
Should I use these hashes for password storage?
No, for password storage you should use specialized password hashing functions like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2. These are designed to be slow and salt passwords automatically, making them resistant to brute-force attacks.