SHA-256 · SHA-512 · MD5 · Browser-only
Hash Calculator
Calculate SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA-1 and MD5 hashes directly in your browser.
The hash is calculated entirely in your browser: the text is not sent to any server.
What is a hash?
A cryptographic hash (sometimes called a hash digest or checksum) is a fixed-length fingerprint of any data. Even a tiny change in input produces a completely different hash — this property is called the avalanche effect.
Algorithm comparison
- SHA-256 — recommended for security, 256-bit output
- SHA-512 — stronger, 512-bit output
- MD5 — fast, but broken for security use; checksums only
- SHA-1 — deprecated for security, still used in Git
FAQ
What's the difference between a hash and encryption?
Encryption is reversible: whoever holds the right key can recover the original data. A hash is not — it's a one-way function designed to produce a unique fingerprint you compare, not decrypt.
Which hash algorithm is the most secure?
Among the algorithms offered here, SHA-512 has the widest security margin thanks to its 512-bit output; SHA-256 remains the most widely used in production (it's the basis of Bitcoin). MD5 and SHA-1 are considered cryptographically broken and should only be used for checksums, never for passwords or signatures.
To see how hashing protects passwords, read Password Hashing: How It Works and Why It Matters. Need a strong password to hash? Try our password generator.