Hash Generator
Generate SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA-384, and SHA-1 hashes instantly. Real-time updates ยท Hex & Base64 ยท 100% client-side ยท No data sent anywhere.
Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Output bits | Hex length | Security status | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHA-1 | 160 | 40 | Deprecated | Git object IDs (legacy) |
| SHA-256 | 256 | 64 | Recommended | TLS, JWT, code signing, API signing |
| SHA-384 | 384 | 96 | Recommended | TLS 1.3, high-assurance applications |
| SHA-512 | 512 | 128 | Recommended | Password hashing pipelines, large files |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SHA-256 and when should I use it?
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 256-bit (32-byte) output, displayed as a 64-character hexadecimal string. It is part of the SHA-2 family and is currently the most widely deployed secure hash algorithm. Use SHA-256 for data integrity verification, digital signatures, password hashing (with salting), blockchain transactions, and API request signing. It is recommended for all new applications.
How is SHA-512 different from SHA-256?
SHA-512 produces a 512-bit (64-byte) output โ twice the size of SHA-256 โ displayed as a 128-character hex string. On 64-bit CPUs, SHA-512 is often faster than SHA-256 due to wider registers. Use SHA-512 when you need a larger hash space (lower collision probability), or when processing large files on 64-bit systems. Both are equally secure for current threat models.
Why is SHA-1 deprecated?
SHA-1 produces a 160-bit hash but has known collision vulnerabilities โ researchers demonstrated a successful SHA-1 collision attack in 2017 (SHAttered). Major browser vendors, CAs, and software platforms have stopped accepting SHA-1 for digital certificates and code signing. It is still useful for non-security checksums (e.g., Git object IDs) but should not be used for new cryptographic applications.
What is the difference between hex and base64 output?
Both hex and base64 are ways to represent the same binary hash data as printable ASCII characters. Hex uses 16 characters (0-9, a-f) and is the most readable format โ each byte becomes two characters. Base64 uses 64 characters and is about 33% more compact. Hex is standard for most developer tools; base64 is preferred in HTTP headers (Authorization: Bearer), JWT tokens, and some API response formats.
Is this hash generator safe to use? Does it send my data anywhere?
Completely safe. This tool runs entirely in your browser using the Web Cryptography API (window.crypto.subtle), which is a native browser API โ no data is ever sent to any server. You can even disconnect from the internet and the tool will continue to work. All computation happens locally on your device.
Can I use these hashes for password storage?
No. SHA-256 and SHA-512 alone are not suitable for password hashing because they are designed to be fast, making them vulnerable to brute-force and dictionary attacks. For password storage, use a slow adaptive hashing algorithm specifically designed for passwords: bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2id. These add computational cost and memory requirements that make attacks impractical even with powerful hardware.