Hash Generator
Generate SHA-256, SHA-1, SHA-384, and SHA-512 hashes from any text. Get the lowercase hex digest instantly in your browser - nothing is uploaded.
About Hash Generator
Use this free hash generator to create a cryptographic hash (message digest) from any text using SHA-256, SHA-1, SHA-384, or SHA-512. Paste your input, pick an algorithm, and get the lowercase hexadecimal digest instantly. Hashing is one-way: the same input always produces the same fixed-length output, but you cannot reverse a hash back to the original data. Everything runs client-side with the browser's built-in Web Crypto API, so your text is never uploaded, logged, or stored.
How to Use Hash Generator
- Choose a hash algorithm - SHA-256 is the default and the best general-purpose choice.
- Type or paste your text into the input box.
- Click "Generate hash" to compute the digest.
- Copy the lowercase hex output, or switch algorithms to compare digests.
Hash Generator Examples
SHA-256 of "abc"
ba7816bf8f01cfea414140de5dae2223b00361a396177a9cb410ff61f20015ad (64 hex characters, 256 bits)
SHA-1 of "abc"
a9993e364706816aba3e25717850c26c9cd0d89d (40 hex characters, 160 bits)
Verify a download checksum
Paste a file's text or a released string and compare the SHA-256 output to the checksum the publisher provides - they must match exactly.
Read the full guide
How to Use Hash Generator: Complete Guide (2026) - 5 min read
Frequently Asked Questions about Hash Generator
- What is a hash?
- A hash (or message digest) is a fixed-length fingerprint of your input produced by a one-way function. Any change to the input - even a single character or a trailing space - produces a completely different hash. The same input always produces the same hash, which makes hashes ideal for verifying integrity and comparing data without storing the original.
- Which hash algorithms does this tool support?
- It supports the SHA family exposed by the browser's Web Crypto API: SHA-1 (160-bit), SHA-256 (256-bit), SHA-384 (384-bit), and SHA-512 (512-bit). SHA-256 is the recommended default for checksums and general use.
- Can this tool generate an MD5 hash?
- No. The browser's Web Crypto API (crypto.subtle.digest) does not implement MD5, so it is not offered here. MD5 is also considered broken for security because collisions can be produced easily - prefer SHA-256 instead. If you only need MD5 for a legacy, non-security checksum, use a dedicated library on the server or command line.
- Should I use a hash to store passwords?
- Not a plain SHA hash on its own. Fast hashes like SHA-256 are designed for speed, which makes them a poor choice for passwords. Use a slow, salted password-hashing algorithm such as bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 for credentials. Plain SHA-256/512 is fine for file checksums, data integrity, and generating identifiers.
- Is my text sent to a server?
- No. All hashing happens entirely in your browser using the standard Web Crypto API. Nothing you paste is uploaded, logged, or stored, so it is safe to hash sensitive strings.
- Why does adding a space or newline change the hash completely?
- Hash functions have an avalanche effect: flipping even one bit of input changes roughly half the output bits. The tool hashes your input exactly as entered, including trailing spaces and newlines, so make sure the input matches precisely when you compare two digests.