What are hashes for?
A hash function turns any input — a word, a paragraph, or a whole file — into a fixed-length string of characters called a digest, or “fingerprint”. The same input always produces the same hash, but even a tiny change to the input produces a completely different one, and you can’t work backwards from the hash to the original. That makes hashes ideal for checking data integrity (has this file changed?), verifying downloads against a published checksum, deduplication, and — with proper salting — storing passwords safely.
How to generate a hash
- Type or paste your text.
- SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 digests are computed instantly as you type.
- Click Copy next to the algorithm you need.
Which algorithm should I use?
SHA-256 is the sensible default for most integrity and checksum needs — it’s fast, widely supported and secure. SHA-512 offers a larger digest for extra margin. SHA-1 is included for compatibility with older systems, but it’s no longer considered secure against deliberate attacks, so avoid it for anything security-sensitive.
Frequently asked questions
Why no MD5? Browsers’ Web Crypto API doesn’t include MD5 because it’s cryptographically broken — use SHA-256 or stronger.
Can I reverse a hash back to the text? No — hashing is one-way by design.
Do the same words always give the same hash? Yes — identical input always produces an identical digest, which is what makes hashes useful for verification.
Is my text private? Yes — hashing happens entirely in your browser.