Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes from text instantly. Free online hash generator that runs privately in your browser.
Generate an MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 or SHA-512 hash from any text. A hash is a fixed-length fingerprint: the same input always produces the same value, and a change of a single character produces a completely different one. That is what makes it useful for checksums, for verifying that a download arrived intact, and for comparing a value without storing the value itself. The SHA family is computed by your browser's own crypto engine and MD5 by a local implementation, so everything runs on your device and nothing you hash is transmitted.
How to use Hash Generator
- Type or paste the text you want to hash.
- The MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes appear instantly, side by side.
- Compare the one you need against the expected value, or click "Copy" to place it on your clipboard.
Who it is for
Hash Generator is for verifying that something has not changed, or producing a value that identifies content without storing it: a checksum for a download, a fingerprint for a document, or a hash to compare against a published value. It is used by developers and by anyone checking that a file arrived intact.
How it works
- MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 are offered, each computed by the browser's own crypto engine for the SHA family.
- The same input always produces the same output, which is what makes a hash usable as a comparison rather than as a secret.
- Nothing is transmitted, so hashing a password or a key here does not expose it.
What it cannot do
- MD5 and SHA-1 are broken for security purposes — collisions can be produced deliberately. Use them for checksums, never for signatures or passwords.
- A plain hash of a password is not a safe way to store one; a slow password-hashing function designed for it is required.
- Hashing is one-way by design, so a hash cannot be reversed — only guessed by trying inputs.
- It hashes text, not files; a file checksum needs the file read into the tool.
Frequently asked questions
Which hash should I use?
For integrity checks and security, prefer SHA-256 or SHA-512. MD5 and SHA-1 are fine for quick, non-security checksums — finding duplicate files, for instance — but both are cryptographically broken, meaning collisions can be produced deliberately.
Are the hashes computed correctly?
Yes. SHA hashes use the browser's built-in SubtleCrypto, and MD5 uses a well-tested implementation, so results match standard command-line tools byte for byte.
Can I reverse a hash back to the text?
No. Hashing is one-way by design: the output cannot be turned back into the input. A hash of a short or predictable value can still be guessed by hashing candidates until one matches, which is why a plain hash is a poor way to store a password.
Does this hash a file?
No, it hashes the text you enter. A file checksum needs the file read into a tool that can stream its bytes; pasting a file's contents is not equivalent.
Why do two different inputs sometimes look similar?
They should not. A well-designed hash produces completely different output for a one-character change, and if two inputs did produce the same output that would be a collision — a defect in the algorithm rather than a property of the tool.
Is my input sent to a server?
No. All hashing happens in your browser, so the text you enter stays completely private — which matters if you are hashing something you would not paste into a web form.