What is the difference between SHA-256 and MD5?

SHA-256 produces a 256-bit (64 character) hash and is considered cryptographically secure for most applications. MD5 produces a 128-bit (32 character) hash but is now considered broken for security purposes due to collision vulnerabilities. Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 for security-critical applications.

How do I verify a file's integrity using a hash?

To verify file integrity, generate a hash of your downloaded file and compare it with the hash provided by the source. If both hashes match exactly, the file has not been modified or corrupted during transfer. This is commonly used when downloading software or important documents.

Which hash algorithm should I use for passwords?

For password hashing, you should use specialized algorithms like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 rather than SHA-256 or MD5. These algorithms are designed to be slow and resistant to brute-force attacks. General-purpose hash functions like SHA-256 are too fast for secure password storage.

Can I reverse a hash to get the original data?

No, cryptographic hash functions are one-way functions by design. You cannot mathematically reverse a hash to obtain the original input. However, attackers can use rainbow tables or brute-force attacks to find inputs that produce known hashes, which is why strong, unique inputs are important.

What is a checksum and how is it different from a hash?

A checksum is a value used to verify data integrity, while a hash is a specific type of checksum created using a cryptographic algorithm. All cryptographic hashes are checksums, but not all checksums are cryptographically secure. For security purposes, always use cryptographic hashes like SHA-256.

Is SHA-512 more secure than SHA-256?

SHA-512 produces a longer 512-bit hash compared to SHA-256's 256-bit output. While both are currently considered secure, SHA-512 offers a larger security margin against future attacks. However, SHA-256 is sufficient for most use cases and is sometimes faster on 32-bit systems.

How do I use this hash generator for file verification?

Upload your file using the file input option, select your desired hash algorithm (SHA-256 is recommended), and the tool will calculate the hash. Compare the generated hash with the expected hash from the file's source to verify integrity. The hashes must match exactly.

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Hash Generator

Generate secure cryptographic hashes using SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, and SHA-1. Calculate file checksums and verify data integrity with our free online hash calculator.

Enter text to hash

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How to Use the Hash Generator

Generate Hash from Text

1Select your desired hash algorithm (SHA-256 recommended for security)
2Enter or paste your text into the input field
3Copy the generated hash for your use

Verify File Checksum

1Upload your file using the file upload option
2Select the same algorithm used by the file provider
3Compare the generated hash with the expected value

Supported Hash Algorithms

SHA-256 (256-bit)
SHA-384 (384-bit)
SHA-512 (512-bit)
SHA-1 (160-bit)

Frequently Asked Questions

A hash is a fixed-length string generated from input data using a cryptographic algorithm. Hashes are used for data integrity verification, password storage, digital signatures, and file deduplication. Even a tiny change in the input produces a completely different hash output.

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