About the Hash Generator
A hash function takes any input and produces a fixed-length fingerprint that changes completely if even one character of the input changes — used for verifying file integrity, generating cache keys, and detecting duplicate content.
This tool computes MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes of any text you enter, all at once, entirely in your browser.
How it works
- Type or paste the text you want to hash into the input box.
- Click Generate Hashes to compute MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 simultaneously.
- Copy whichever hash your use case requires.
Common use cases
- Verifying downloaded content: Computing the SHA-256 hash of a piece of text to compare it against a published checksum and confirm integrity.
- Generating cache keys: Using a SHA-256 hash of a request payload as a stable, fixed-length cache key in a caching layer.
- Comparing two documents: Hashing two versions of a text file to quickly confirm whether their contents are identical without a line-by-line diff.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use MD5 or SHA-1 for security purposes?
No — both MD5 and SHA-1 are cryptographically broken and unsuitable for security-sensitive uses like password storage or digital signatures, due to known collision attacks. They're included here for compatibility with legacy systems and non-security uses like checksums, not for anything requiring cryptographic guarantees.
What should I use to hash passwords?
Never use a general-purpose hash function like SHA-256 alone for passwords — use a purpose-built password hashing algorithm like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2, which are deliberately slow and salted to resist brute-force attacks. This tool is meant for general-purpose hashing, not credential storage.
Why is the hash always the same length regardless of input size?
That's the defining property of a hash function — SHA-256 always produces a 256-bit (64 hex character) output whether you hash one character or an entire book, which is what makes hashes useful as fixed-size fingerprints.
Will hashing the same text twice always give the same result?
Yes — these are all deterministic hash functions, so identical input always produces an identical hash. If you need different output each time (like for password storage), you need to add a random salt before hashing.
This tool runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is sent to a server. Read more in the Privacy Policy, or browse the full list of tools.