Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes for text or files online. Free cryptographic hash generator for data integrity verification.
Hash Results
About Hash Generator
A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that converts input data into a fixed-size string of characters. Hash functions are one-way operations - you cannot reverse a hash to get the original data. They're widely used in cybersecurity, data integrity verification, and digital signatures.
Supported Hash Algorithms
MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5)
- Output: 128-bit (32 hexadecimal characters)
- Status: Cryptographically broken, not recommended for security
- Use Cases: Checksums, non-cryptographic applications
- Note: Vulnerable to collision attacks
SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1)
- Output: 160-bit (40 hexadecimal characters)
- Status: Deprecated for most security uses
- Use Cases: Legacy systems, Git commit hashes
- Note: Collision attacks demonstrated in 2017
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit)
- Output: 256-bit (64 hexadecimal characters)
- Status: Currently secure and widely recommended
- Use Cases: SSL certificates, blockchain, digital signatures
- Part of: SHA-2 family
SHA-512 (Secure Hash Algorithm 512-bit)
- Output: 512-bit (128 hexadecimal characters)
- Status: Currently secure, more robust than SHA-256
- Use Cases: High-security applications, password hashing
- Part of: SHA-2 family
Common Use Cases
- File Integrity: Verify file downloads haven't been corrupted or tampered with
- Password Storage: Store password hashes instead of plaintext (with salt)
- Digital Signatures: Verify authenticity of documents and software
- Blockchain: Link blocks and verify transaction integrity
- Data Deduplication: Identify duplicate files efficiently
- Checksums: Quick data integrity verification
Hash Properties
- Deterministic: Same input always produces same output
- Fixed Size: Output length is always the same for each algorithm
- One-Way: Cannot reverse hash to get original data
- Avalanche Effect: Small input change causes large hash change
- Collision Resistant: Hard to find two inputs with same hash
Security Recommendations
- Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 for security-critical applications
- Avoid MD5 and SHA-1 for cryptographic purposes
- Add salt when hashing passwords
- Consider using specialized algorithms like bcrypt or Argon2 for password hashing
- Verify file hashes from trusted sources only
Hash vs Encryption
Hashing: One-way function, cannot be reversed, fixed output size
Encryption: Two-way function, can be decrypted, variable output size
Use hashing for verification and integrity. Use encryption for confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hash function?
A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that converts input data into a fixed-size string of characters. Hash functions are one-way operations - you cannot reverse a hash to get the original data.
Which hash algorithm should I use?
For security-critical applications, use SHA-256 or SHA-512. Avoid MD5 and SHA-1 for cryptographic purposes as they have known vulnerabilities.
Can I reverse a hash?
No, hash functions are one-way operations. You cannot reverse a hash to get the original data. This is by design for security purposes.
What is the difference between hashing and encryption?
Hashing is a one-way function that cannot be reversed and produces fixed output size. Encryption is a two-way function that can be decrypted and has variable output size. Use hashing for verification and integrity, encryption for confidentiality.