Hash Generator
Generate SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, and MD5 hashes from text.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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This tool generates cryptographic hash values from any text input using industry-standard algorithms. Hashing is a one-way process: you can turn text into a hash, but you cannot reverse the hash back to the original text. Here is how to use this tool:
- Enter your text. Type or paste the text you want to hash into the input field. The tool accepts any string, from a single character to paragraphs of text.
- Select an algorithm. Choose from SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, or MD5. SHA-256 is selected by default and is the most commonly used algorithm for general purposes.
- View the hash. The hash output appears instantly as you type. The result card shows a preview, and the full hash is displayed in a read-only field below.
- Copy or share. Click Copy to copy the hash to your clipboard. Click Share to generate a link that recreates this exact hash with the same input and algorithm.
You can also toggle uppercase output if you need the hash in capital letters. The context line below the result shows the hash length in bits, which varies by algorithm.
About Hash Functions
A cryptographic hash function takes an input of any length and produces a fixed-size output. The same input always produces the same output, but even a tiny change in the input creates a completely different hash. This property makes hashes useful for verifying file integrity, storing passwords (when combined with salting), and digital signatures.
SHA-256 (256-bit output) is the most widely used hash algorithm today. It is used in TLS certificates, Git commits, Bitcoin, and countless other systems. SHA-512 provides 512 bits of output for applications requiring extra security. MD5 (128-bit) and SHA-1 (160-bit) are considered cryptographically weak and should not be used for security purposes, but they remain useful for checksums and non-security applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hash algorithm should I use?
For most purposes, SHA-256 is the best choice. It provides strong security, wide compatibility, and reasonable output length. Use SHA-512 if your application specifically requires it. Avoid MD5 and SHA-1 for any security-sensitive application, as both have known collision vulnerabilities.
Can I reverse a hash back to the original text?
No. Cryptographic hash functions are designed to be one-way. You cannot compute the original input from a hash output. This is what makes hashing useful for password storage: even if someone obtains the hash, they cannot directly recover the password.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. All hashing is performed entirely in your browser using the Web Crypto API (for SHA algorithms) or a pure JavaScript implementation (for MD5). Your text never leaves your device.
Why is MD5 considered insecure?
MD5 has known collision vulnerabilities, meaning it is possible to create two different inputs that produce the same MD5 hash. This was demonstrated in 2004 and has been exploited in real attacks. MD5 is still fine for non-security uses like checksums for file integrity, but it should never be used for passwords, digital signatures, or certificate validation.