What is a hash function?

A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that converts input data of any size into a fixed-size output (hash). It's a one-way function - you cannot reverse the hash to get the original data. Hash functions are used for data integrity verification, password storage, and digital signatures.

What is the difference between MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512?

MD5 produces a 128-bit hash and is fast but not secure for cryptographic purposes. SHA-1 produces a 160-bit hash but is also considered weak. SHA-256 produces a 256-bit hash and is widely used and secure. SHA-512 produces a 512-bit hash and offers the highest security level among these algorithms.

Which hash algorithm should I use?

For security-sensitive applications, use SHA-256 or SHA-512. MD5 and SHA-1 are only suitable for non-security purposes like checksums or cache keys. SHA-256 offers a good balance of security and performance for most use cases.

Is this hash generator secure?

Yes, this tool is 100% secure. All hash computation happens locally in your browser using WebAssembly and the Web Crypto API. No data is ever sent to our servers. Your text and files never leave your device.

Can I hash files with this tool?

Yes, you can upload text files to generate their hash. The tool supports .txt, .json, .xml, .html, .css, .js, .ts, .md and other text-based file formats. All file processing happens locally in your browser.