Encryption / Hash

Hash Calculator

Calculate MD5, SHA1, SHA256 and other hash values.

Input text
Algorithm:
Hash results
MD5
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SHA-1
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SHA-256
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What is a Hash Calculator?

A hash calculator computes cryptographic hash values for text input. Hash functions convert data of any size into a fixed-size string of characters, commonly used for data integrity verification, password storage, and digital signatures.

Supported Algorithms

  • MD5: 128-bit hash, fast but not secure for cryptographic purposes
  • SHA-1: 160-bit hash, deprecated for security applications
  • SHA-256: 256-bit hash, part of SHA-2 family, widely used
  • SHA-384: 384-bit hash, higher security
  • SHA-512: 512-bit hash, maximum security

Use Cases

  • Data Integrity: Verify file downloads haven't been tampered with
  • Password Storage: Store password hashes instead of plain text
  • Digital Signatures: Ensure document authenticity
  • Checksums: Compare data for equality without comparing entire content

Frequently Asked Questions

Which algorithm should I choose?
SHA-256 is the default for integrity checks and content identifiers. MD5 and SHA-1 are fast but broken for security purposes — acceptable for checksums of non-adversarial data, unacceptable for signatures or password storage.
Can a hash be reversed?
Not directly. Hashing is one-way: the same input always produces the same output, but the output contains no trace of the input. Weak or common passwords are still recovered via rainbow tables — which is why password storage needs a salt and a slow KDF.
Why does my hash differ from another tool’s output?
Check three things: the exact input bytes (a trailing newline or CRLF changes everything), the text encoding (UTF-8 vs UTF-16), and the output format (hex vs Base64). Align all three and the digests will match.