MD5 & SHA Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes instantly. Hash any text for checksums, verification, and more.
0 characters
MD532 hex characters
---SHA-140 hex characters
---SHA-25664 hex characters
---SHA-512128 hex characters
---What are hash functions used for?
Hash functions create fixed-length fingerprints of data. They're used for file integrity verification, password storage, digital signatures, and detecting duplicate content. The same input always produces the same hash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MD5 secure?
MD5 is broken for security purposes - collisions can be created. Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 for security. MD5 is still fine for checksums and non-security uses.
Can I decrypt a hash?
Hashes are one-way functions and cannot be reversed. You can only compare hashes to verify if two inputs match.
Why are hashes always the same length?
Hash functions compress any input to a fixed-size output. MD5 is always 32 hex characters, SHA-256 is 64, regardless of input size.
What's the difference between hashing and encryption?
Encryption is reversible with a key. Hashing is one-way - you can't recover the original data from a hash.
Which algorithm should I use?
For security, use SHA-256 or SHA-512. For checksums where security isn't critical, MD5 is faster. Never use MD5 or SHA-1 for passwords.