Hash Generator
Generate MD5, SHA1, SHA256, and SHA512 hashes instantly. Perfect for data integrity and security.
About Hash Functions
Hash functions are cryptographic algorithms that take input data of any size and produce a fixed-size output called a hash. Hashes are commonly used for data integrity verification, password storage, digital signatures, and checksums. Each hash algorithm has different characteristics in terms of security and performance.
Hash Algorithms
- MD5: 128-bit hash, fast but cryptographically broken. Use for checksums only.
- SHA1: 160-bit hash, deprecated for security purposes. Use for legacy systems only.
- SHA256: 256-bit hash, secure and widely used. Recommended for most applications.
- SHA512: 512-bit hash, very secure but slower. Use for high-security applications.
Common Use Cases
- Password Storage: Hash passwords before storing (use bcrypt/argon2 for passwords)
- Data Integrity: Verify file integrity and detect corruption
- Digital Signatures: Create hash-based signatures
- Checksums: Verify data transmission integrity
- Blockchain: Create hash chains for blockchain technology
Best Practices
- Never use MD5 or SHA1 for security-sensitive applications
- Use SHA256 or SHA512 for cryptographic purposes
- For password hashing, use specialized algorithms like bcrypt or argon2
- Always use salt when hashing passwords
- Remember that hashes are one-way functions - you cannot reverse them
