The Hash Generator calculates MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512, and SHA-3 hashes simultaneously. Whether verifying file integrity, storing password hashes, or performing data verification, this tool provides secure local computation - your data never leaves your browser.
What is a Hash Function?
A hash function converts data of any size into a fixed-length string. Good hash functions have these properties: same input always produces same output; original data cannot be derived from hash; small input changes produce completely different outputs; collisions (different inputs producing same output) are extremely rare. These properties make hash functions essential for password storage, data verification, and digital signatures.
Algorithm Comparison
- MD5 (128-bit): Fast but proven insecure with collision vulnerabilities. Only recommended for non-security checksum calculations.
- SHA-1 (160-bit): More secure than MD5 but also broken. Not recommended for security-related applications.
- SHA-256 (256-bit): SHA-2 family member, widely used, highly secure. Used by Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
- SHA-512 (512-bit): Longer output than SHA-256, better performance in some scenarios.
- SHA-3 (256-bit): Latest standard with completely different design, providing additional security assurance.
Security Best Practices
For password storage, don't use hash functions directly - use dedicated password hashing algorithms like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2, which include salt and iteration count. For file verification, use SHA-256 or stronger. For security-sensitive applications, use SHA-256, SHA-512, or SHA-3.
FAQ
Q: What's the difference between MD5 and SHA-256?
A: Main differences are security and output length. MD5 outputs 128 bits (32 hex characters) and has known collision vulnerabilities - no longer secure. SHA-256 outputs 256 bits (64 hex characters) with no known practical attacks - highly secure. For any security-related application, use SHA-256.
Q: Can hash values be decrypted?
A: Hashing is one-way, so technically there's no 'decryption'. However, original text can be found through rainbow tables or brute force attacks. This is why password storage requires salting. Hash values generated by this tool also cannot be reversed to get original text.
Q: Why does the same text always produce the same hash?
A: This is a fundamental property of hash functions - determinism. Same input always produces same output, making hashes useful for data verification. If you change any single character, the hash will be completely different.