Hash Generator

What this tool does

Create a SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512 digest of text you type. The digest is a one-way fingerprint. It is not an encrypted copy of the text, and it is not a password.

How to use

1. Type or paste the text. An empty box still has a valid digest.
2. Choose SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512.
3. Press Create hash.
4. Copy the result or clear the form.

Examples

• A known SHA-256 check

  The text abc with SHA-256 is ba7816bf8f01cfea414140de5dae2223b00361a396177a9cb410ff61f20015ad. If you see that string, this page and another SHA-256 tool agree.

• Checking a short note

  Hash the note, send the note and the digest on separate channels, and hash the note again on the other side. If the digests differ, the note changed.

Main features

• SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 through the browser’s Web Crypto API.
• The digest is shown as lowercase hexadecimal text.
• The text is not uploaded.

How it works

A hash function maps text to a fixed-length digest. The same text and the same algorithm always produce the same digest. You cannot turn the digest back into the text with this tool. People use SHA-256 and the longer SHA-2 hashes to check integrity. MD5 and SHA-1 are older hashes and are a poor choice for a new integrity check, so they are not offered here.

Tips

• Do not use a fast hash by itself as a way to store passwords. Password storage needs a slow function built for that job.
• A changed space or a changed line break changes the digest. Hash the exact bytes you care about.

Limitations

This hashes text encoded as UTF-8. It does not hash a file. It does not encrypt anything, and it does not prove who wrote the text. A browser without Web Crypto cannot create the digest.

See the disclaimer for what these tools do not cover.

FAQ

Is a hash the same as encryption?

No. Encryption is meant to be reversed with a key. This digest is a one-way fingerprint for checking that the text still matches.

Can I get the original text from the hash?

No. This page only creates the digest. It cannot recover the text.

Is my input sent to a server?

No. The text is hashed in this tab. It is not sent to a server, and the digest cannot be turned back into the original.

What is SHA-256 used for?

SHA-256 creates a fixed 64-character fingerprint of data. It is used to check that a file or message has not changed, and in digital signatures.

Should I hash passwords with SHA-256?

Not on its own. Password storage should use a slow, salted algorithm such as bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2, because plain SHA-256 can be guessed very quickly.

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