Privacy & Security
All hashing operations are performed locally in your browser using the Web Crypto API. Your data never leaves your device.
Hash Algorithms
Text Input
Enable HMAC for message authentication with a secret key
Hash Comparison
Compare two hashes to check if they match (case-insensitive)
Hash Identifier
Paste a hash to identify its type and verify passwords against bcrypt hashes
Example Hashes (Click to Expand)
5d41402abc4b2a76b9719d911017c592aaf4c61ddcc5e8a2dabede0f3b482cd9aea9434d2c26b46b68ffc68ff99b453c1d30413413422d706483bfa0f98a5e886266e7ae$2b$10$N9qo8uLOickgx2ZMRZoMyeIjZAgcfl7p92ldGxad68LJZdL17lhWyWhat Are Hash Functions?
A cryptographic hash function is a mathematical algorithm that takes input data of any size and produces a fixed-size output (hash value or digest). Hash functions have several key properties:
Deterministic
The same input always produces the same hash output. This allows you to verify data integrity by comparing hash values.
One-Way Function
It's computationally infeasible to reverse a hash back to its original input. You can't "decrypt" a hash.
Avalanche Effect
Even a tiny change in input produces a completely different hash. Changing one bit changes approximately 50% of the output bits.
Collision Resistant
It should be extremely difficult to find two different inputs that produce the same hash (though theoretically possible).
Common Use Cases for Hash Functions
File Integrity Verification
Download a file and verify it hasn't been corrupted or tampered with by comparing its hash against the published value.
Password Storage
Store password hashes instead of plaintext passwords. Use bcrypt or scrypt for adaptive, salt-included password hashing.
Digital Signatures
Hash documents before signing to ensure authenticity and integrity. Any modification invalidates the signature.
Data Deduplication
Identify duplicate files by comparing hashes instead of comparing entire file contents byte-by-byte.
API Authentication
Use HMAC signatures to verify API requests came from authorized clients and haven't been modified in transit.
Database Indexing
Create fast lookup tables using hash values as keys, enabling efficient data retrieval in large databases.
Hash Algorithms Comparison
Recommended Algorithms
SHA-256 & SHA-512
Industry-standard secure hash functions from the SHA-2 family. SHA-256 produces 256-bit hashes, SHA-512 produces 512-bit hashes.
Best for: File integrity, checksums, digital signatures, general-purpose hashing
SHA-3
Latest cryptographic hash standard with different internal design than SHA-2. Approved as FIPS standard in 2015.
Best for: Applications requiring highest security margins, future-proofing
bcrypt
Adaptive password hashing function based on Blowfish cipher. Includes automatic salting and adjustable work factor.
Best for: Password storage, user authentication systems
scrypt
Memory-hard password hashing function resistant to hardware brute-force attacks using custom chips.
Best for: Password storage with maximum security, cryptocurrency applications
Legacy Algorithms (Not Recommended for Security)
MD5 ⚠️
128-bit hash function, cryptographically broken since 2004. Collision attacks are trivial with modern computers.
Use only for: Non-security checksums, backward compatibility
SHA-1 ⚠️
160-bit hash function, deprecated due to practical collision attacks demonstrated in 2017. No longer secure.
Use only for: Legacy system compatibility, non-critical applications
Security Considerations
Don't Do This
- ❌Don't use MD5 or SHA-1 for security: These are cryptographically broken
- ❌Don't use fast hashes for passwords: Use bcrypt or scrypt instead
- ❌Don't hash without salt for passwords: Makes rainbow table attacks trivial
- ❌Don't implement your own crypto: Use well-tested libraries
Best Practices
- ✅Use SHA-256+ for file integrity: Secure and widely supported
- ✅Use bcrypt/scrypt for passwords: Designed for secure password storage
- ✅Use HMAC for authentication: Ensures both integrity and authenticity
- ✅Keep work factors high: Increase bcrypt cost as hardware improves
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Hash Generator
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