Hash generator
SHA-256, SHA-1 and MD5 from text or a file.
Computed from the UTF-8 bytes, so accents matter.
We compare it against every value we compute.
A hash is neither encryption nor a way to store passwords: those belong in bcrypt or Argon2 with a salt. Neither the file nor the text is uploaded, your browser does the work.
- Runs right in your browser
- Free, no sign-up
More about Hash generator
What a checksum is for
A hash is a fingerprint of data: it turns an input of any size into a short string that changes with the smallest edit. It is mostly used to verify that a downloaded file was neither corrupted nor swapped on the way, and to compare two files without opening either.
Which algorithm to pick
- SHA-256 is today's choice for anything security related.
- SHA-512 is longer and often faster on 64-bit processors.
- SHA-1 has been broken since 2017; use it only where an older system demands it.
- MD5 is broken outright, collisions can be manufactured in seconds. Still fine for spotting accidental corruption of a file, and nothing else.
Frequently asked questions
Is the file uploaded to a server?
No. Your browser does the work and the file never leaves your computer. That is exactly why this tool suits documents you would never upload anywhere.
Can I protect passwords with a hash?
Not like this. Passwords need functions designed to be slow, with a salt on top: bcrypt, scrypt or Argon2. A plain SHA-256 of a password can be looked up in a dictionary in moments.
Why is my checksum different from the publisher's?
Usually it is a different algorithm, or the file downloaded corrupted or incomplete. Try downloading again and comparing once more, and check you have the same version of the file.