Online MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 Generator
Calculate cryptographic hash values from text for integrity checks, test fixtures, cache keys and development diagnostics. Compare the resulting hexadecimal digest with an expected value to identify whether input data changed.
MD5 and SHA-1 are retained for compatibility and identification, but they are not collision-resistant choices for modern security. Password storage requires a dedicated password-hashing algorithm with a salt, not a general-purpose hash.
Instructions
How to generate the hash of a text
Simply type or paste the text in the field above. The four hashes are calculated automatically in real time, with no need to click any button. Use the copy icon next to each result to copy the value to the clipboard.
Toggle between uppercase and lowercase
By default the hashes are shown in lowercase letters. Click the toggle button in the top right corner of the panel to display the values in uppercase letters, which is the format required by some APIs and legacy systems.
What is a Cryptographic Hash Function
A cryptographic hash function is a mathematical algorithm that transforms any amount of data into a fixed-length sequence, called a hash or digest. The same input always produces the same hash, but any minimal change to the input — even a single character — results in a completely different hash. This property is known as the avalanche effect.
Hash functions are widely used to verify the integrity of files, store passwords securely, digitally sign documents and ensure the authenticity of messages. It is important to distinguish hashing from encryption: hashing is a one-way operation, meaning it is not possible to recover the original text from the hash.
MD5
Created in 1991 by Ronald Rivest, MD5 produces a 128-bit hash, represented by 32 hexadecimal characters. Although it is still used for file integrity verification, it is not recommended for security purposes, since known vulnerabilities allow the creation of collisions — different inputs that generate the same hash.
SHA-1
Developed by the NSA and published in 1995, SHA-1 produces a 160-bit hash (40 hex characters). It was the dominant standard for years in SSL certificates and digital signatures, but in 2017 researchers demonstrated the first practical collision, making it obsolete for cryptographic use. It is still found in legacy systems.
SHA-256 and SHA-512
Both belong to the SHA-2 family, published by the NSA in 2001. SHA-256 produces 256 bits (64 hex characters) and is the recommended standard for most security applications, being used in TLS certificates, Bitcoin and code signing. SHA-512 produces 512 bits (128 hex characters) and offers a greater security margin, being preferred in contexts that require extra resistance to brute-force attacks.