developer utility
Hash Generator & Checker
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, or SHA-512 hashes from any text, or paste an expected hash to verify a match. Everything is computed locally with the browser's native Web Crypto API.
What is Hash Generator & Checker?
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, or SHA-512 hashes from any text, or paste an expected hash to verify a match. Everything is computed locally with the browser's native Web Crypto API. Everything runs 100% client-side in your browser — no data is ever uploaded to a server, nothing is logged or stored, and the tool is completely free with no signup required.
Quick Answers
- How do I check or verify a SHA-256 hash?
- Switch the tool to "Verify a hash" mode, enter the text, and paste the expected digest in the second field. The tool computes the SHA-256 hash of your text locally and shows a Match / No match result instantly.
- Is SHA-256 reversible?
- No hash function is reversible by design, including SHA-256. Given a hash output, there's no way to mathematically recover the original input — you can only compare it against a new hash of a guessed input.
- Is SHA-256 safe for hashing passwords?
- SHA-256 alone is not recommended for password storage because it's fast to compute, making brute-force attacks feasible. Use a purpose-built password hashing algorithm like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 instead, which are deliberately slow and salted.
All decoding happens entirely in your browser. No data is ever sent to a server — nothing you paste here is transmitted, logged, or stored.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check or verify a SHA-256 hash?
Switch the tool to "Verify a hash" mode, enter the text, and paste the expected digest in the second field. The tool computes the SHA-256 hash of your text locally and shows a Match / No match result instantly.
Is SHA-256 reversible?
No hash function is reversible by design, including SHA-256. Given a hash output, there's no way to mathematically recover the original input — you can only compare it against a new hash of a guessed input.
Is SHA-256 safe for hashing passwords?
SHA-256 alone is not recommended for password storage because it's fast to compute, making brute-force attacks feasible. Use a purpose-built password hashing algorithm like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 instead, which are deliberately slow and salted.
Does this happen in my browser or on a server?
Every SHA-256 hash is computed locally using your browser's built-in cryptography APIs (or an in-browser implementation). Your input text never leaves your device.
How do I check or verify an MD5 hash?
Choose the MD5 tab, switch to "Verify a hash" mode, enter your text, and paste the MD5 digest you want to compare in the second field. The tool computes the MD5 checksum locally and shows a Match / No match result instantly — no server ever sees your data.
Quick comparison
Hashing vs encryption — the fundamental difference
A hash function maps any input to a fixed-size digest and is one-way: you cannot recover the input from the output. Encryption is reversible with a key. Hashing is used for integrity checks and password storage, not confidentiality.
| Aspect | Hash function | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Reversibility | One-way — cannot recover the input | Reversible with the correct key |
| Key | None | Requires a key |
| Output | Fixed length regardless of input | Length related to input |
| Purpose | Integrity checks, fingerprints, passwords | Confidentiality of data at rest or in transit |
| Examples | SHA-256, MD5, SHA-512 | AES, RSA |
How to generate or verify a hash in 3 steps
A hash is a fixed-size fingerprint of your input. It is one-way — you cannot recover the original text from it — which is why hashes are used to check integrity and store passwords (with a salt).
- 1Paste the text you want to hash into the input box.
- 2Select the algorithm (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) and any HMAC key if you need a keyed hash.
- 3Copy the resulting digest, or switch to "Verify a hash" mode and paste an expected digest to instantly compare it against your input. Changing even one character produces a completely different hash.