Hash Generator – MD5, SHA-1 and SHA-256 Checksums

Calculate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 hashes for text or a file. Copy hexadecimal checksums and compare them with your reference value.

or upload a file

About Hash Functions:

  • MD5: 128-bit hash (32 hex characters) - Fast but not secure, use for checksums only
  • SHA-1: 160-bit hash (40 hex characters) - Not recommended for security
  • SHA-256: 256-bit hash (64 hex characters) - Commonly used, secure
  • SHA-384: 384-bit hash (96 hex characters) - Higher security
  • SHA-512: 512-bit hash (128 hex characters) - Maximum security

Calculate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 hashes for text or a file. Copy hexadecimal checksums and compare them with your reference value.

Calculate a hash for text or a file

A hash function maps input to a fixed-length fingerprint. This page calculates MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 for text or one selected file, then displays hexadecimal values. A hash helps compare data; it is not a reversible copy.

When to use a hash calculator

Check a downloaded file

Compare its SHA-256 value with a checksum from a source you trust to detect accidental changes.

Create test fingerprints

Calculate a digest for sample text or a local fixture when testing an importer, checksum field, or file-comparison workflow.

How to calculate a file or text hash

Enter non-empty text or choose a file, then calculate the hashes. Use the same algorithm as your reference value and compare the complete hexadecimal result. Even a small input change produces a different fingerprint.

Practical hash examples

Compare two copies

Run the same algorithm on each copy; matching digests indicate matching contents for that comparison, subject to the algorithm’s limits.

Document a release file

Record a SHA-256 digest beside a release file so another person can compare the file they received.

Tips for comparing hash values

Use the same algorithm

An MD5 value cannot be compared with SHA-256. Check the algorithm name and every character of the digest.

Trust the reference

A checksum helps only when the reference comes from a reliable, separate source; it does not prove who created the file.

Choose for the task

MD5 and SHA-1 are unsuitable where collision resistance matters. Prefer SHA-2 for modern integrity checks.

Browser support

SHA calculations use the browser Web Crypto API; MD5 uses bundled JavaScript. Use a current browser. File processing stays in the page, and very large files depend on available memory.

What to check before using the result

A hash is a fingerprint, not encryption or a password-storage system. MD5 and SHA-1 are unsuitable for collision-resistant security. A matching checksum is useful only when the reference value is trustworthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reverse a hash to recover the original text?
No. Hashing is designed as a one-way operation. The result is a fingerprint, not encrypted text that can be decoded.
Which algorithms does this tool provide?
It calculates MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 for text or a selected file. Compare values made with the same algorithm.
Does a matching hash prove a file is safe or authentic?
No. A trusted checksum can help detect changes, but it does not scan for malware or establish authenticity if the checksum is untrusted.
Do spaces, capitalization, or line breaks affect a hash?
Yes. Any input-byte change—including a space, letter case, or newline—changes the digest. Compare the exact same text or file bytes.
Can I compare MD5 output with SHA-256 output?
No. Compare values produced by the same algorithm for each input; different algorithms have different digest formats and results.
Why are raw hashes unsuitable for storing passwords?
General-purpose MD5 and SHA functions are fast and do not add a password-specific salt here. Password storage should use a dedicated slow password-hashing method such as Argon2id, scrypt, or bcrypt.

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