Hash Generator
Generate SHA-256, SHA-512 hashes
Enter text and click Generate
Uses Web Crypto API for secure client-side hashing
About Cryptographic Hashes
Hash functions convert input data into a fixed-size string of characters. They are one-way functions - you cannot reverse a hash to get the original input.
About Hash Generator (SHA-256, SHA-512)
1What is it?
Generate cryptographic hashes using SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, and SHA-1 algorithms. Hashing is a one-way function that converts data into a fixed-size string of characters. Use it for data integrity verification, password storage (with salt), and creating unique fingerprints for content.
2Use Cases
- Verify file integrity using checksums
- Create content fingerprints for change detection
- Generate tokens for URL verification
- Hash sensitive data before storage
- Create deterministic IDs from content
- Verify downloaded file authenticity
- Compare large datasets efficiently
3Examples
SHA-256 hash
Input
Hello World
Output
a591a6d40bf420404a011733cfb7b190d62c65bf0bcda32b57b277d9ad9f146e
Security reminder
Input
password123
Output
(Never hash passwords without salt!)
?Frequently Asked Questions
Which hash algorithm should I use?
SHA-256 is the recommended default for most uses. SHA-512 is more secure but longer. SHA-1 is deprecated for security purposes but still used for non-security checksums. Avoid MD5 for anything security-related.
Can I reverse a hash to get the original text?
No, hashing is a one-way function. You cannot mathematically reverse a hash. However, common inputs can be found in 'rainbow tables' - pre-computed hash databases. This is why passwords should be hashed with unique salts.
What's the difference between hashing and encryption?
Hashing is one-way: you can't get the original data back from a hash. Encryption is two-way: you can decrypt to get the original data with the key. Use hashing for verification (passwords, checksums); use encryption when you need to retrieve the original data.
Why does the same input always give the same hash?
That's the point! Hashes are deterministic - the same input always produces the same output. This allows you to verify data integrity by comparing hashes without comparing the full data.
Should I use SHA-256 for passwords?
SHA-256 alone is NOT recommended for passwords. Use a proper password hashing function like bcrypt, Argon2, or PBKDF2. These add salt (random data) and are intentionally slow to prevent brute-force attacks.