A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that converts any input text into a fixed-length string called a hash, digest, or checksum. The result is unique to each input: even a single changed character produces a completely different hash. This makes hashing essential for verifying file integrity, storing passwords securely, and generating digital signatures.
How to use this tool
- Type or paste your text into the field above.
- Click the button — MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 hashes are computed in a fraction of a second.
- Copy the value you need.
Supported algorithms and their use cases
The tool supports four widely used algorithms:
- MD5 (128-bit) — fast and useful for verifying file checksums after a download. Not suitable for password protection: vulnerable to collisions and brute-force attacks.
- SHA-1 (160-bit) — once used in SSL certificates and Git commit signatures. Also deprecated for security-critical purposes.
- SHA-256 (256-bit) — the modern standard. Used in Bitcoin blockchain, TLS 1.3, JWT tokens, and API request signing. Recommended for most tasks today.
- SHA-512 (512-bit) — the strongest of the four. Applied in high-security systems and Unix-based password storage (with a salt).
Frequently asked questions
Can a hash be reversed to recover the original text?
No. A hash function is one-way: recovering the original input from the hash output is mathematically infeasible. This is why we say "hash" rather than "encrypt" — unlike encryption, there is no reverse operation by design.
What is the difference between MD5 and SHA-256?
MD5 produces a 128-bit hash (32 hex characters) and is faster, but it is vulnerable to collisions — meaning two different inputs can produce the same hash. SHA-256 produces a 256-bit hash (64 hex characters) and is considered cryptographically secure by current standards.
Is it safe to store passwords as MD5 hashes?
No. MD5 and SHA-1 are too fast: modern GPUs can test billions of candidates per second. For password storage, use purpose-built algorithms — bcrypt, Argon2, or scrypt — which are intentionally slow and support salting.
Why does the same text always produce the same hash?
Hash functions are deterministic: identical input always yields identical output. This property is exactly what makes hashes useful for integrity checks — if the hash of a downloaded file matches the reference value, the file has not been altered.
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