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DevUtil

Hash Generator - MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512 Online

Hash Results
MD5—
SHA-1—
SHA-256—
SHA-384—
SHA-512—

About the Hash Generator

Cryptographic hashing is a fundamental building block of modern software. Every Git commit is identified by a SHA-1 hash. TLS certificates rely on SHA-256 for signature verification. Package managers use hashes to confirm that downloaded files haven't been tampered with. This tool lets you generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 hashes for any text input, directly in your browser.

The generator uses the Web Crypto API built into every modern browser, so hashing is fast and your data never leaves your machine. Paste a string, and all four hash digests appear instantly.

How to Use the Hash Generator

Type or paste the text you want to hash into the input area. The tool computes all supported hashes in real time. Each result is displayed as a hexadecimal string alongside a copy button, so you can grab the exact hash you need and drop it into a checksum file, a configuration block, or a verification script.

Features

  • Five algorithms. MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 computed simultaneously for easy comparison.
  • Real-time output. Hash digests update as you type with no need to press a button.
  • One-click copy. Each hash has its own copy button so you can grab individual results quickly.
  • Client-side processing. All computation happens in the browser via the Web Crypto API. No data is sent to a server.
  • Full Unicode support. The input is encoded as UTF-8 before hashing, matching the behaviour of command-line tools like sha256sum.

Common Use Cases

Developers use hash generators to create checksums for file integrity verification, to compare expected versus actual hashes when downloading dependencies, and to understand how hash outputs change when inputs are modified. Security engineers use them to check password hash formats or validate HMAC signatures during debugging. DevOps teams compare digests when verifying container images or release artifacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cryptographic hash?
A cryptographic hash function takes an input of any size and produces a fixed-length output (the hash or digest). The same input always produces the same output, but even a tiny change in the input produces a completely different hash. This one-way property makes hashes useful for verifying data integrity without revealing the original content.
What is the difference between hashing and encryption?
Encryption is a two-way process: you encrypt data with a key and can decrypt it back to the original. Hashing is one-way: you cannot recover the original input from its hash. Encryption protects confidentiality; hashing verifies integrity and authenticity.
Is MD5 safe to use?
MD5 is cryptographically broken. Practical collision attacks have been demonstrated since 2004. It should never be used for password hashing, digital signatures, or security-critical applications. MD5 is still acceptable for non-security checksums like verifying file downloads or generating cache keys.
Which SHA algorithm should I use?
SHA-256 is the most widely used and is the default choice for most applications, including TLS certificates, Git commits, and blockchain. SHA-512 offers a larger output and can be faster on 64-bit systems. SHA-1 should only be used where legacy compatibility is required, as it is no longer considered collision-resistant.
Is my data safe when using this tool?
Yes. All hashing is performed entirely in your browser using the Web Crypto API. No data is transmitted to any server. You can verify this by opening your browser's network tab while using the tool.