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SHA-512 Hash Generator - Generate SHA-512 Hashes Online

SHA-512 Hash
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All Hash Algorithms

About the SHA-512 Hash Generator

SHA-512 is the largest standard member of the SHA-2 family, producing a 512-bit digest (128 hex characters). It shares the same fundamental design as SHA-256 but operates on 64-bit words, which makes it faster on modern 64-bit processors. SHA-512 is used in applications that require maximum hash length or where 64-bit hardware can take advantage of its optimised internal operations.

This tool computes SHA-512 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-512 Generator

Paste or type your text into the input area. The 128-character SHA-512 digest appears immediately. Use the copy button to grab the result for use in checksums, configuration, or verification workflows.

SHA-512 in Practice

Many Linux distributions default to SHA-512 for password hashing in /etc/shadow. The Ed25519 signature algorithm, widely used for SSH keys and TLS, is built on SHA-512 internally. Some blockchain protocols and certificate transparency logs also use SHA-512 for its larger output size.

Performance Characteristics

On 64-bit processors, SHA-512 is typically faster than SHA-256 because its internal rounds use 64-bit additions and rotations, which map directly to native CPU instructions. On 32-bit or embedded hardware, SHA-256 is faster because it uses 32-bit operations. For most server and desktop workloads, SHA-512 offers better throughput.

SHA-512 vs Other Algorithms

SHA-512 provides the largest output of the standard SHA-2 family. Compared to SHA-256, it offers a higher theoretical collision-resistance margin (256 bits vs 128 bits) and better performance on 64-bit hardware. Both are far more secure than MD5 or SHA-1, which have known vulnerabilities. For most applications, either SHA-256 or SHA-512 is an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SHA-512?
SHA-512 is a member of the SHA-2 family that produces a 512-bit (64-byte) hash value, rendered as a 128-character hexadecimal string. It uses 64-bit operations internally, which makes it faster than SHA-256 on 64-bit processors.
Is SHA-512 more secure than SHA-256?
Both SHA-256 and SHA-512 are considered equally secure for practical purposes. SHA-512 has a larger internal state and output, which provides a higher theoretical security margin, but SHA-256's 256-bit output is already far beyond the reach of brute-force attacks. The choice between them typically depends on performance characteristics and output size requirements rather than security.
When should I use SHA-512 instead of SHA-256?
SHA-512 is a good choice when you are on 64-bit hardware and want maximum throughput, when you need a longer hash for protocols that require it, or when you want extra collision-resistance margin for very long-lived digests. Many Linux distributions use SHA-512 for password hashing in /etc/shadow.
How long is a SHA-512 hash?
A SHA-512 hash is always 512 bits (64 bytes) long, displayed as a 128-character hexadecimal string. This is twice the length of SHA-256 (64 characters) and more than three times the length of MD5 (32 characters).