What's the difference between SHA-256 and SHA-512?

SHA-256 produces a 256-bit (64 character hex) hash, while SHA-512 produces a 512-bit (128 character hex) hash. SHA-512 offers a larger security margin and is actually faster on 64-bit processors. Both are secure for current applications.

Can I reverse a hash to get the original text?

No. Hash functions are one-way by design. There's no mathematical way to reverse a hash. Attackers use rainbow tables or brute force to guess inputs, which is why longer, complex inputs are safer and why password hashing uses additional techniques like salting.

Why do tiny input changes create completely different hashes?

This is called the 'avalanche effect' - a desirable property of secure hash functions. Changing even one bit of input should change approximately half the output bits. This prevents attackers from making small modifications to find collisions.

Which hash algorithm should I use?

For security applications (passwords, signatures, certificates), use SHA-256 or SHA-512. For simple checksums where security isn't critical (file verification, cache keys), even MD5 is acceptable due to its speed. Never use MD5 or SHA-1 for security purposes.

Technology

Hash Generator Calculator

Generate cryptographic hash digests using MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 algorithms. Compare hash outputs, verify data integrity, and understand hash function properties.

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Generate Cryptographic Hash Digests Instantly

Hash functions transform any text into a fixed-length fingerprint. Our calculator supports MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 algorithms, showing you the exact output with security recommendations for each algorithm.

What is a Hash Function?

A cryptographic hash function takes an input (message) and produces a fixed-size output (digest). The same input always produces the same output, but even a tiny change creates a completely different hash. This one-way function makes it computationally infeasible to reverse the hash back to the original input.

Hash Function Properties

H(m) = fixed-length digest (deterministic, one-way, collision-resistant)

Why Hash Functions Matter

Data Integrity Verification

Compare hash values to verify files haven't been modified during download or transfer. A single bit change produces a completely different hash.

Password Storage

Secure systems store password hashes, not plaintext passwords. Even if the database is compromised, attackers can't easily recover the original passwords.

Digital Signatures

Hash functions are fundamental to digital signatures, SSL certificates, and blockchain technology. They enable efficient signing of large documents.

Deduplication

Storage systems use hashes to identify duplicate files. Two files with the same hash are considered identical, saving storage space.

How to Use This Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

MD5 was broken in 2004 when researchers demonstrated practical collision attacks. Attackers can create two different inputs that produce the same MD5 hash. This makes MD5 unsuitable for security purposes like digital signatures or password hashing.