Hash Generator

What is a Hash?

A hash is a fixed-size string generated from input data using a cryptographic algorithm. The same input always produces the same hash, but even a tiny change in input creates a completely different hash. Hashes are one-way functions—you cannot reverse them to get the original data.

How to Use This Tool

Generate Hashes

1. Type or paste your text in the Input field
2. Click Generate Hashes to compute MD5 and SHA-256
3. Both hashes appear instantly in the results section
4. Click Copy next to each hash to copy it individually
5. Use Clear to reset everything and start fresh
6. Try Sample to see example hashes for demo text

Hash Algorithms Supported

MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5)

• Output: 32-character hexadecimal string (128 bits)
• Speed: Very fast
• Use cases: Checksums, non-security file verification, cache keys
• Security: Not cryptographically secure—do not use for passwords or security

SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit)

• Output: 64-character hexadecimal string (256 bits)
• Speed: Fast
• Use cases: Password hashing (with salt), digital signatures, blockchain, certificates
• Security: Cryptographically secure for most applications

Common Use Cases

• File Integrity: Verify downloaded files match expected checksums
• Password Storage: Hash passwords before storing (use SHA-256 + salt, never plain MD5)
• Data Deduplication: Identify duplicate content using hash fingerprints
• Cache Keys: Generate unique keys for caching systems
• API Signatures: Create request signatures for API authentication
• Debugging: Compare hashes to verify data hasn't changed
• Git Commits: Git uses SHA-1/SHA-256 for commit IDs

Important Security Notes

• MD5 is NOT secure for passwords, authentication, or digital signatures (collisions exist)
• SHA-256 is secure but should be combined with salting for password storage
• Hashing is one-way—you cannot "unhash" to get the original text
• Same input = same hash (deterministic), so use salts for password security
• This tool works entirely in your browser—no data is sent to servers

Tips

• Use SHA-256 for security-critical applications
• For password storage, combine SHA-256 with a unique salt per user
• MD5 is fine for checksums and non-security use cases (faster than SHA-256)
• Compare hashes to verify data integrity across systems
• Hashes are case-sensitive—"Hello" and "hello" produce different hashes