Hash Generator
Generate various hash types including MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512, Base64, Hex, and CRC32
Hash Types Explained
MD5
128-bit hash function. Fast but cryptographically broken. Use only for checksums.
SHA-1
160-bit hash function. Deprecated due to vulnerabilities. Avoid for new applications.
SHA-256
256-bit hash function. Part of SHA-2 family. Cryptographically secure and widely used.
SHA-512
512-bit hash function. Highest security level. Best for sensitive applications.
Base64
Encoding scheme (not a hash). Converts binary data to ASCII text format.
Hexadecimal
Encoding scheme. Represents bytes as hex digits (0-9, a-f).
CRC32
32-bit checksum. Used for error detection, not cryptographic security.
Security Recommendation
Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 for cryptographic purposes. Avoid MD5 and SHA-1 for security applications.
How to Generate Hashes
Enter Text
Type or paste the text you want to hash into the input field. Can be passwords, files, or any text data.
Generate All Hashes
Click generate to create multiple hash types simultaneously: MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512, Base64, Hex, and CRC32.
Copy & Download
Copy individual hashes or download all as a text file. Security levels are indicated for each hash type.
Hash Types and Security Levels
Understanding different hash algorithms and their security implications
SHA-256 (Secure)
256-bit cryptographic hash function. Part of the SHA-2 family, widely trusted and used.
Use for: Password hashing, digital signatures, blockchain
Security: High - No known practical attacks
SHA-512 (Very Secure)
512-bit hash providing the highest level of security. Slower but more secure than SHA-256.
Use for: High-security applications, sensitive data
Security: Very High - Maximum cryptographic strength
SHA-1 (Deprecated)
160-bit hash function. Officially deprecated due to collision vulnerabilities.
Use for: Legacy compatibility only
Security: Low - Known collision attacks exist
MD5 (Insecure)
128-bit hash function. Cryptographically broken with practical collision attacks.
Use for: File checksums, non-security applications
Security: None - Do not use for passwords
Common Use Cases for Hash Functions
Password Security
Hash passwords before storing them in databases. Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 with salt for security.
File Integrity
Verify file integrity by comparing hash values. Detect corruption or unauthorized changes.
Digital Signatures
Create digital signatures by hashing data before encryption. Ensures authenticity and integrity.
Data Deduplication
Identify duplicate files or data by comparing their hash values. Saves storage space.
Blockchain & Crypto
Essential for blockchain technology, cryptocurrency mining, and merkle trees.
API Authentication
Generate secure API keys, request signatures, and authentication tokens.
Security Best Practices
Important guidelines for using hash functions securely
✅ Do Use
- • SHA-256 or SHA-512 for new applications
- • Salt when hashing passwords
- • Multiple rounds (iterations) for password hashing
- • Dedicated password hashing functions like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2
❌ Don't Use
- • MD5 or SHA-1 for security-critical applications
- • Plain hash functions for password storage
- • Predictable or short salts
- • Hash functions for generating random numbers
💡 Pro Tips
- • Use constant-time comparison to prevent timing attacks
- • Consider key stretching for password hashing
- • Regularly update hash algorithms as standards evolve
- • Use established cryptographic libraries instead of custom implementations
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between hashing and encryption?
Hashing is one-way and produces a fixed-size output, while encryption is two-way and can be decrypted. Hashes are used for verification, encryption for confidentiality.
Why shouldn't I use MD5 for passwords?
MD5 is vulnerable to collision attacks and is too fast, making it easy for attackers to crack passwords using rainbow tables or brute force attacks.
What is salting and why is it important?
Salt is random data added to passwords before hashing. It prevents rainbow table attacks and ensures identical passwords have different hashes.
Which hash function should I use for my application?
For general security: SHA-256. For maximum security: SHA-512. For passwords: use bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2. For checksums: SHA-256 or even CRC32.
Hash Types
Today's Stats
Security Tips
Password Hashing: Use bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 instead of plain SHA for password storage.
File Integrity: Use SHA-256 for verifying file integrity and detecting corruption.
Legacy Systems: Migrate from MD5/SHA-1 to SHA-256 or SHA-512 for better security.