Hash Generator
Compute SHA-1 / SHA-256 / SHA-384 / SHA-512 hashes of text in your browser.
About this tool
A hash computes a fixed-length "digest" from input of any length. The same input always yields the same value, and changing even one character changes the value drastically. This tool computes hashes such as SHA-256 from your text in the browser and never sends your input anywhere.
Main uses
- Detecting tampering or corruption β publish a file's hash so anyone can verify after download that it was not corrupted or altered.
- Checking identity β decide whether two pieces of data are the same by matching hashes, without comparing contents.
- Indexing / dedup β use as a short fingerprint of large data.
One-way β you cannot reverse it
Hashing is one-way; you cannot recover the original input from the hash (it is not encryption). Because the same input gives the same value, common inputs can be looked up via dictionaries or rainbow tables, but you cannot mathematically invert the value itself.
Choosing an algorithm
For general use, prefer SHA-256. MD5 and SHA-1 are fast but have practical "collisions" (different inputs producing the same value) and should not be used for security purposes like tamper detection. Unless forced by legacy compatibility, choose SHA-256 or stronger.
Do not use it directly for passwords
Simply hashing a password for storage is not safe. The standard is to add a per-user salt and use a deliberately slow, purpose-built algorithm like bcrypt or Argon2. SHA-256 is too fast, making brute force easier, so it is a poor choice as the core of password storage.
How to use
- Type text to compute SHA-1 / SHA-256 / SHA-384 / SHA-512 at once.
- Press Copy on any hash to copy its hex string.
FAQ
Can I recover the original text from a hash?
No. Hash functions are one-way, and the original data cannot be reconstructed from the value β which is exactly why they are useful for tamper detection.
Is my input sent to a server?
No. Computation uses the browser Web Crypto API on your device; your input is never sent anywhere.
Can I use MD5 or SHA-1, and are they safe?
MD5 and SHA-1 have known collisions and are discouraged for security. Use SHA-256 or stronger for anything beyond a casual integrity check.
Can I use a hash to store passwords?
Plain SHA-256 alone is insufficient. Passwords should use dedicated algorithms with salting and iteration, such as bcrypt or Argon2.
Does the same text always produce the same value?
Yes. Identical input always yields an identical hash, and changing a single character changes the result dramatically.
When is this useful?
Verifying a downloaded file is not corrupted, checking that two pieces of text match, and generating cache keys or fingerprints.