Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes from any text. Hashes update in real time as you type. Everything runs in your browser.
Client-side only — your text is never sent to any serverAbout Hashing Algorithms
What is a hash?
A cryptographic hash function takes any input and produces a fixed-length output called a digest. The same input always produces the same hash, but even a single character change produces a completely different result. Hashes are one-way: you can't reverse a hash back to the original text.
MD5 — fast, not for security
MD5 produces a 128-bit (32-character hex) digest. It's fast and still widely used for checksumming files and non-security purposes like cache keys. MD5 is cryptographically broken: collisions can be generated in seconds. Don't use it for passwords, signatures, or anything security-sensitive.
SHA-1 — legacy, avoid for new work
SHA-1 outputs a 160-bit (40-character hex) digest. It was once the standard for SSL certificates and Git commit IDs. Practical collision attacks were demonstrated in 2017 (the SHAttered attack). Most certificate authorities stopped issuing SHA-1 certs years ago. Use SHA-256 or higher for new projects.
SHA-256 — industry standard
SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and produces a 256-bit (64-character hex) digest. It's the go-to algorithm for digital signatures, TLS certificates, password hashing (when paired with bcrypt or Argon2), and blockchain transactions. No practical attacks exist against SHA-256.
SHA-512 — maximum strength
SHA-512 produces a 512-bit (128-character hex) digest. It's slower than SHA-256 on 32-bit hardware but can be faster on 64-bit CPUs due to wider native operations. Choose SHA-512 when you need the highest security margin, such as signing long-lived documents or high-value keys.
How to use
- 1Enter your text
Type or paste the text you want to hash in the input field. Hashes update in real time as you type.
- 2Read the hashes
All four algorithms (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) are computed simultaneously and displayed below the input.
- 3Copy the hash you need
Click the copy icon next to any hash value to copy it to your clipboard.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cryptographic hash?
A hash function takes any input and produces a fixed-length fingerprint called a hash or digest. The same input always produces the same hash, but even a single character change produces a completely different result. Hashes are one-way: you cannot reverse them to recover the original input.
What is the difference between MD5 and SHA-256?
MD5 produces a 128-bit (32 hex char) hash and is fast but cryptographically broken — collisions can be generated intentionally. SHA-256 produces a 256-bit (64 hex char) hash and remains secure. Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 for security applications; MD5 only for non-security purposes like file checksums.
Can I reverse a hash to get the original text?
No. Hash functions are mathematically one-way. However, short or common inputs (like simple passwords) can be cracked by comparing against precomputed rainbow tables. This is why passwords should always be hashed with a slow, salted algorithm (bcrypt, Argon2) — not plain SHA-256.
Is my text safe when I use this tool?
Yes. All hashing runs in your browser using the Web Crypto API (SHA family) and a pure-JavaScript MD5 implementation. No text is ever transmitted to any server.