About the Hash Generator
A hash is a fixed-length fingerprint of any piece of data. Feed in a word, a paragraph or an entire file and a hashing algorithm like SHA-256 or SHA-512 produces a unique string of hexadecimal characters. Change even a single letter and the resulting hash looks completely different, which makes hashes ideal for verifying that data hasn't been altered.
This generator computes SHA-256 and SHA-512 hashes for both text and files using the browser's built-in Web Crypto API. Everything is calculated locally, so your text and files never leave your device.
How to use it
- 1Pick whether you want to hash text or a file.
- 2For text, type or paste your content into the input area.
- 3For a file, select it from your device — it's read locally, never uploaded.
- 4Generate the hashes: SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 are all calculated and shown side by side.
- 5Copy the algorithm you need to compare it against a known value.
Common uses
- →Verifying a downloaded file matches the checksum published by its author.
- →Checking whether two files are identical without opening them.
- →Generating a stable, unique key from a piece of content.
- →Confirming that data transferred between systems arrived unchanged.
- →Learning how hashing works while studying security or cryptography.
Tips & good to know
- A matching hash proves two inputs are identical; a different hash proves they are not.
- Hashing is one-way — you can't turn a hash back into the original data, which is exactly the point.
- For password storage in real applications, use a purpose-built algorithm like bcrypt or Argon2 rather than a plain SHA hash.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between SHA-256 and SHA-512?
- Both are secure. SHA-512 produces a longer 128-character digest and can be faster on 64-bit systems; SHA-256 produces a 64-character digest and is the most widely used.
- Can I hash large files?
- Yes, though very large files depend on your device's memory since the file is read locally in the browser.
- Does the tool store my input?
- No. Hashes are computed in your browser with the Web Crypto API and nothing is uploaded.