#️⃣ Hash Generator & Identifier

Generate cryptographic hashes or identify an unknown hash's algorithm.

📚 Hash functions — what they are and why they matter

A cryptographic hash function takes any input and produces a fixed-length digest. The same input always produces the same output, but you cannot reverse the process — you can't recover the input from the hash alone.

MD5 and SHA-1 are broken — researchers have found collisions (two different inputs that produce the same hash). Never use them for security purposes like password storage or digital signatures. SHA-256+ is recommended.

Password hashing: Passwords should be hashed with bcrypt, Argon2, or scrypt — not raw SHA-256. These algorithms are deliberately slow and include salting to prevent rainbow table attacks.

How to use this tool

1 Type or paste the text you want to hash into the input area.

2 Select the hashing algorithm: MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, or SHA-512.

3 Click Hash to generate the output.

4 Copy the hash for use in checksums, integrity verification, or comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

What is a hash function?

A hash function transforms any input into a fixed-length string. The same input always produces the same hash, and even a tiny change in input produces a completely different hash.

Is MD5 still safe to use?

MD5 is broken for security purposes. Do not use it for password storage or digital signatures. It is still acceptable for non-security uses like checksums where collision attacks are not a concern.

Can a hash be reversed?

Hashing is a one-way function. You cannot reverse a hash to get the original input. Attackers use precomputed tables (rainbow tables) to crack common password hashes.

What is SHA-256 used for?

SHA-256 is used in TLS certificates, file integrity verification, code signing, and Bitcoin's proof-of-work algorithm.