Hash Generator — MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA512
Generate MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA512, and SHA3 hashes online. Free cryptographic hash generator. All processing done in browser.
Common Uses
• MD5 — File integrity checks, checksums (not for security)
• SHA1 — Git commits, legacy certificate fingerprints
• SHA256 — Recommended for most security uses, passwords
• SHA512 — Maximum security, file verification
• SHA3 — Latest standard, quantum-resistant
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cryptographic hash?▾
A cryptographic hash function converts any input (text, file, data) into a fixed-size string of characters. The same input always produces the same hash, but it is computationally infeasible to reverse the hash or find two inputs that produce the same hash.
What is the difference between MD5, SHA1, SHA256, and SHA512?▾
MD5 produces a 128-bit (32 hex chars) hash — fast but cryptographically broken, use only for checksums. SHA1 produces 160-bit (40 hex chars) — also deprecated for security. SHA256 produces 256-bit (64 hex chars) — secure, widely used. SHA512 produces 512-bit (128 hex chars) — more secure, slower.
Is MD5 still safe to use?▾
MD5 is not safe for security purposes (passwords, digital signatures) because collisions have been found. It is still acceptable for non-security use cases like file integrity checksums, cache keys, and data deduplication.
What is SHA256 used for?▾
SHA256 is used for password hashing (with bcrypt or PBKDF2), digital signatures, SSL/TLS certificates, Bitcoin and blockchain, HMAC authentication, and file integrity verification. It is the most widely used secure hash algorithm.
Can I reverse a hash?▾
No. Hash functions are one-way — you cannot mathematically reverse a hash to get the original input. Attackers use rainbow tables (precomputed hash databases) to look up common passwords by their MD5/SHA1 hashes, which is why passwords should always be salted before hashing.