TL;DR — generate SHA‑256 (and more), compare, copy, and export—right in your browser
Paste text or drop a file. Get SHA‑1, SHA‑256, SHA‑384, SHA‑512 (plus optional MD5) in Hex or Base64. Paste a known checksum to see match / no match, then copy or download a TXT report. Everything is computed locally for privacy.
Hash Generator – SHA-256, SHA-512, MD5 & More Checksum Generator Online
Generate cryptographic hashes from text or files online. Supports SHA-256, SHA-1, SHA-384, SHA-512, and MD5 algorithms with hex or Base64 output. Compare checksums to verify file integrity — all in your browser. Type or paste text into the editor—or drag a file into the page—and digests appear instantly. Switch Hex to Uppercase when you need to match CLI tools or release notes that publish uppercase digests.
The built‑in Compare box speeds up verification. Paste the checksum a vendor provides—usually a SHA‑256—and each algorithm row will light up with a clear match or no match label. It’s an easy way to confirm file integrity before you install software or share artifacts with a team. When you’re done, copy any value, copy everything at once, or download a neatly formatted TXT record that includes all algorithms.
Everything happens client‑side. Your text and files never leave the browser, which makes this tool safe for internal notes, log snippets, or private builds. If you actually need reversible protection rather than hashing, use Secure Text Encryptor instead. To generate strong random inputs for IDs or salts, try the Password Generator. For quick cleanup before hashing (remove odd whitespace, normalize line endings), open Advanced Text Cleaner or make precise edits with Find & Replace.
MD5 vs SHA-256 — which to use
MD5 is fast and produces a 128-bit (32-character hex) digest, but it is cryptographically broken and should only be used for non-security checksums — for example, verifying a file wasn't corrupted in transit on a trusted network. Never use MD5 for password hashing or digital signatures.
SHA-256 is the modern standard. It produces a 256-bit (64-character hex) digest and is suitable for file integrity verification, digital signatures, and password hashing (when combined with a salt). Use SHA-512 when you need maximum hash length or work in an environment that requires it for compliance.
When to use which option
SHA‑256 is the modern default for integrity checks—use it to validate installers, archives, and assets you download from the web. SHA‑512 offers a longer digest and is common in security‑conscious environments. SHA‑1 and MD5 remain in old documentation and workflows; they’re convenient for compatibility but should not be used for security‑critical decisions. Pick Hex if you want easy visual comparison or need to match command‑line tools; pick Base64 if you’re moving values through JSON or systems that prefer shorter, printable strings.
Reminder: hashing is one‑way. You can’t convert a digest back into the original text or file contents. If you need to protect data but keep the option to decrypt it later, use encryption—never a hash.
Key features
- Instant SHA‑1, SHA‑256, SHA‑384, SHA‑512; optional MD5 for legacy uses
- Paste text or hash local files via upload/drag‑drop
- Hex or Base64 output; Uppercase toggle for Hex
- Built‑in Compare: paste a known digest and see match / no match
- Copy per‑algorithm, Copy all, and TXT export
- 100% client‑side processing for privacy
Tips
- Vendors usually publish a SHA‑256 checksum—paste it into Compare to verify downloads.
- When a hash doesn’t match, check for extra spaces/newlines and make sure your output format matches (Hex vs Base64).
- Use Uppercase if you need to match tools that print uppercase Hex (some CLIs and release notes do).
- For sensitive workflows, avoid MD5 and SHA‑1; prefer SHA‑256 or stronger.
Frequently asked questions
Does this upload my text or files?
Which algorithms are supported?
Can I reverse a hash?
Why doesn’t my compare match?
Is MD5 safe?
How do I generate an SHA-256 hash online for free?
What is the difference between MD5 and SHA-256?
Can I verify an MD5 checksum online?
You might also like
- Encrypt and decrypt strings with Secure Text Encryptor.
- Create strong inputs for IDs and salts using Password Generator.
- Clean noisy text before hashing with Advanced Text Cleaner or make precise edits in Find & Replace.