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SHA-256 Hash Generator - Generate SHA-256 Hashes Online

SHA-256 Hash
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All Hash Algorithms

About the SHA-256 Hash Generator

SHA-256 is the workhorse of modern cryptography. Part of the SHA-2 family published by NIST in 2001, it produces a 256-bit digest (64 hex characters) and is the default choice for TLS certificates, blockchain proof-of-work, package integrity verification, and code signing across the software industry.

This tool computes SHA-256 hashes using the Web Crypto API built into your browser. All processing happens locally, and no data leaves your machine.

How to Use the SHA-256 Generator

Type or paste the text you want to hash into the input area. The 64- character SHA-256 digest appears instantly below. Click the copy button to grab the result for use in integrity checks, configuration files, or verification scripts.

Where SHA-256 Is Used

  • TLS certificates. Every HTTPS connection you make is secured by a certificate chain verified with SHA-256 signatures.
  • Bitcoin. The Bitcoin blockchain uses double-SHA-256 for block hashing and proof-of-work mining.
  • Git. Git's newer SHA-256 object format is gradually replacing the legacy SHA-1 format.
  • npm / Subresource Integrity. Package managers and browsers verify downloaded files using SHA-256 checksums.
  • Docker. Container image layers are identified by their SHA-256 content digest.

SHA-256 vs Other Algorithms

SHA-256 offers a strong balance of security and performance. It is more secure than MD5 and SHA-1, both of which have known collision vulnerabilities. SHA-512 provides a larger output and can be faster on 64-bit hardware, but SHA-256's 256-bit output is more than sufficient for all practical security needs. When in doubt, SHA-256 is the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SHA-256?
SHA-256 is a member of the SHA-2 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2) family, designed by the NSA and published by NIST in 2001. It produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value, rendered as a 64-character hexadecimal string. It is the most widely used hash function for security-critical applications today.
Is SHA-256 secure?
Yes. As of 2025, no practical collision or preimage attacks against SHA-256 have been demonstrated. It is used in TLS certificates, Bitcoin mining, Git (as the new default), code signing, and virtually all modern security protocols. SHA-256 is recommended by NIST for all general-purpose hashing needs.
What is the difference between SHA-256 and SHA-512?
SHA-256 produces a 256-bit (64-character) hash while SHA-512 produces a 512-bit (128-character) hash. SHA-512 can be faster on 64-bit processors because it uses 64-bit operations internally. Both are considered equally secure for practical purposes; SHA-256 is more commonly used because its shorter output is sufficient for most applications.
Where is SHA-256 used?
SHA-256 is used in TLS/SSL certificates, Bitcoin and other blockchains, Git (SHA-256 object format), npm package integrity checks (Subresource Integrity), JSON Web Tokens, Docker content-addressable storage, and many other systems that require collision-resistant hashing.