Hash Generator

Generate cryptographic hash values using various algorithms including MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2, SHA-3, and RIPEMD-160.

Input Text

SHA-256 Result:

Enter text above to generate a hash

Hash Algorithm

SHA-2 Family

Note:

SHA-224 is generally secure but offers a smaller security margin than larger hash sizes.

SHA-3 Family

Note:

SHA3-224 is secure but offers a smaller security margin than larger hash sizes.

Legacy Algorithms

Warning:

MD5 is considered broken and insecure. It should not be used for security-critical applications or password storage.

Warning:

SHA-1 is considered broken and should not be used for security-critical applications since 2017.

Warning:

While more resistant than MD5 and SHA-1, RIPEMD-160 is not recommended for new applications requiring high security.

Implementation Note: This tool automatically generates hashes as you type, using the browser's native Web Crypto API for SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 algorithms when available, falling back to the crypto-js library when necessary. All other algorithms are implemented using crypto-js for maximum browser compatibility.

About Hashing Algorithms

Legacy Algorithms

MD5: A 128-bit hash function that produces a 32-character hexadecimal output. While fast, it is no longer considered secure for cryptographic purposes due to vulnerabilities.
SHA-1: A 160-bit hash function that produces a 40-character hexadecimal output. Like MD5, it has known vulnerabilities and is not recommended for security-critical applications.
RIPEMD-160: A 160-bit hash function designed as an alternative to SHA-1, with better resistance to cryptanalytic attacks.

SHA-2 Family

The SHA-2 family includes SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512. These algorithms produce outputs of 224, 256, 384, and 512 bits respectively, and are widely used for security applications.

SHA-3 Family

The SHA-3 family (SHA3-224, SHA3-256, SHA3-384, SHA3-512) was selected by NIST in 2012 as the latest member of the Secure Hash Algorithm family. SHA-3 has a different internal structure from SHA-2, making it resistant to attacks that might compromise SHA-2.

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About Hash Generation

What is a Hash?

A hash is a fixed-length string of characters generated by an algorithm from any input data. The same input will always produce the same hash, but even a slight change in the input will produce a completely different hash.

Hashes are one-way functions, meaning you cannot reverse the process to get the original input from the hash value.

Common Hash Uses

Verifying file integrity
Storing passwords securely
Digital signatures
Data indexing
Detecting data changes
Blockchain technology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cryptographic hash and why is it useful?

A cryptographic hash is a mathematical function that converts input data into a fixed-size string of characters. It's useful for data integrity verification, password storage, digital signatures, and creating unique identifiers. The same input always produces the same hash.

Which hash algorithm should I use?

For security purposes, use SHA-256 or SHA-3. Avoid MD5 for security-critical applications as it's vulnerable to collision attacks. SHA-1 is deprecated for security use. Use MD5 only for non-security purposes like checksums or legacy compatibility.

What's the difference between SHA-2 and SHA-3?

SHA-2 (including SHA-256) is currently the standard and widely adopted. SHA-3 is the newest standard with different internal design, offering additional security margins. Both are considered secure, but SHA-2 has broader compatibility and adoption.

Can I reverse a hash to get the original text?

No, cryptographic hashes are one-way functions - you cannot reverse them to get the original input. This is by design for security. However, simple passwords can sometimes be "cracked" using dictionary attacks or rainbow tables.

Why do I get different hashes for similar text?

Hash functions are sensitive to any change in input. Even a single character difference, capitalization change, or extra space will produce a completely different hash. This property makes hashes excellent for detecting data changes.

Is it safe to use this tool for sensitive data?

Yes, all hashing happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No data is sent to servers or stored anywhere. However, remember that hashes of simple passwords can still be vulnerable to attacks.

What is a salt and do I need one?

A salt is random data added to input before hashing to prevent rainbow table attacks. This tool doesn't automatically add salts - you'd need to manually add random text to your input. Salts are important for password storage but not needed for general hashing.

Can I use these hashes for password storage?

While technically possible, plain hashes are not recommended for password storage. Modern password storage should use specialized functions like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 that include salting and are designed to be slow to resist brute force attacks.

What are hash collisions and should I worry about them?

A collision occurs when two different inputs produce the same hash. While theoretically possible, collisions are extremely rare with modern algorithms like SHA-256. MD5 has known collision vulnerabilities, which is why it's not recommended for security.

Can I verify file integrity with these hashes?

Yes, hashes are commonly used to verify file integrity. Generate a hash of your file, then later hash it again - if the hashes match, the file hasn't changed. Many software downloads include SHA-256 hashes for verification.

Why are there different hash lengths?

Different algorithms produce different length outputs: MD5 (128 bits/32 chars), SHA-1 (160 bits/40 chars), SHA-256 (256 bits/64 chars), etc. Longer hashes generally provide better security and lower collision probability.

Can I hash files with this tool?

This tool is designed for text input. For file hashing, you'd need to convert the file to text first or use command-line tools like openssl or specialized file hashing utilities that can process binary data directly.