Hash Generator Online
Compute an MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 or SHA-512 digest of any text. UTF-8 correct, so the result matches md5sum and shasum on the same input.
Text
Digest
About this tool
A hash turns any amount of text into a fixed-length fingerprint: the same input always gives the same digest, and changing a single byte changes all of it. That makes hashes useful for checking that data arrived intact, for cache keys and for deduplication. The SHA family here comes from the browser's own WebCrypto implementation; MD5 is not part of it — deliberately, since it is broken for security — so it is computed in-page and pinned to the RFC 1321 test vectors.
How to use it
- 1Paste or type the text you want to fingerprint.
- 2Pick the algorithm — SHA-256 is the sensible default.
- 3Press Copy to take the digest. The status bar shows its length in bits.
Frequently asked questions
›Is MD5 still safe to use?
Not for anything security-related — collisions can be produced on a laptop, so MD5 must not be used for signatures, certificates or passwords. It is still fine as a fast checksum for spotting accidental corruption, which is why it is here.
›Should I hash passwords with SHA-256?
No. Fast hashes are the wrong tool: a GPU tries billions of them per second. Use a deliberately slow, salted algorithm — bcrypt, scrypt or Argon2 — on the server.
›Does the result match the md5sum or shasum command?
Yes, as long as the input is identical. Text is hashed as UTF-8 bytes, so printf %s "text" | md5sum gives the same digest. Note that echo adds a trailing newline and will produce a different one.
›Which algorithm should I pick?
SHA-256 unless something else requires otherwise — it is the current default for integrity and signatures. SHA-512 is not slower on 64-bit hardware and gives a longer digest. SHA-1 and MD5 are legacy: use them only to match an existing system.
›Can I hash a file?
Not on this page — it hashes the text you paste. For a file, use shasum -a 256 file on macOS or Linux, or Get-FileHash file in PowerShell.