Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 hashes for text or files. Verify hash integrity and compare hashes.
Hash Result
—————Verify Hash
Compare your hash with an expected value to verify file integrity.
About Hash Functions
Legacy, not cryptographically secure
Deprecated, avoid for security
Recommended for most uses
High security applications
Maximum security
What is a Hash Function?
A hash function takes input data of any size and produces a fixed-size output (hash). The same input always produces the same hash, but even a tiny change in input creates a completely different hash.
Key Properties
- • One-way: Cannot reverse a hash to get the original input
- • Deterministic: Same input always produces same output
- • Fast: Computes quickly even for large files
- • Collision resistant: Hard to find two inputs with same hash
How Hash Generation Works
- Select input type: text or file
- Choose hash algorithm (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512)
- Enter text or select file to hash
- Click 'Generate Hash' to compute the hash value
- Use the verify function to compare hashes and check file integrity
Common Use Cases
File Integrity Verification
Generate SHA-256 hash of a downloaded file and compare with the provided checksum to verify the file wasn't corrupted or tampered with.
Password Storage
Hash passwords with SHA-256 or SHA-512 (with salt) before storing in databases. Never store plain text passwords.
Data Deduplication
Use hashes to identify duplicate files. Files with identical hashes are likely identical, saving storage space.
Digital Signatures
Hash documents before signing. The hash is encrypted with a private key to create a digital signature that proves authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hash algorithm should I use?
For security: SHA-256 or SHA-512. MD5 and SHA-1 are deprecated and should not be used for security purposes. MD5 is still useful for checksums and non-security applications.
Can I reverse a hash to get the original data?
No, hash functions are one-way. You cannot reverse a hash to get the original input. This is by design for security purposes.
What's the difference between text and file hashing?
Text hashing processes the text string directly. File hashing reads the entire file and computes the hash of its binary content. Both produce the same hash for identical content.
Why do two identical files produce the same hash?
Hash functions are deterministic - the same input always produces the same output. This property is essential for file integrity verification and deduplication.
Is MD5 secure?
No, MD5 is cryptographically broken and should not be used for security purposes. It's still useful for non-security applications like checksums or data deduplication.
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