SHA-256 Hash Generator
Generate SHA-256 cryptographic hash of any text in the browser. 100% client-side — your data never leaves your device.
About this calculator
Generate the SHA-256 hash of any text. SHA-256 is the 256-bit member of the SHA-2 family and is used in TLS certificates, Bitcoin and software checksums.
It uses your browser's Web Crypto API, so the text never leaves your device.
How to use it
- Type the text.
- Press Generate SHA-256.
- Copy the 64-character hash.
About SHA-256
A hash function turns any input into a fixed-length fingerprint. The same input always gives the same hash, and a tiny change gives a completely different one. Hashing is one-way: you cannot recover the input from the hash. MD5 (128 bits) and SHA-1 (160 bits) are broken for security use. SHA-256 (256 bits) and SHA-512 are the standard choices.
Worked example
Hash of 'hello'
| MD5 | 5d41402abc4b2a76b9719d911017c592 |
| SHA-1 | aaf4c61ddcc5e8a2dabede0f3b482cd9aea9434d |
| SHA-256 | 2cf24dba5fb0a30e26e83b2ac5b9e29e1b161e5c1fa7425e73043362938b9824 |
Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you paste is uploaded.
Tips and common mistakes
- Use SHA-256 or better for integrity checks.
- Never store passwords with a plain hash. Use bcrypt, scrypt or Argon2 with a salt.
- MD5 and SHA-1 are fine for checksums against accidents but not against attackers.
- Compare hashes to verify a download matches the publisher's checksum.
- Whitespace and line endings change the hash. A trailing newline makes a different result.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hash?
A fixed-length fingerprint of data produced by a one-way function.
Is MD5 secure?
No. Collisions can be created, so do not use it for security.
Can a hash be reversed?
Not directly, but weak inputs can be guessed with lookup tables.
What is SHA-256?
A secure hash producing a 256-bit (64 hex character) value.
How do I verify a file's integrity?
Compute its hash and compare with the published value.
Should I hash passwords with SHA-256?
No. Use a slow, salted algorithm such as bcrypt or Argon2.