What is the difference between MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512?

These are cryptographic hash functions of different bit lengths. MD5 produces 128-bit hashes (32 hex chars) but is considered broken for security. SHA-1 produces 160-bit hashes (40 hex chars) and is also deprecated. SHA-256 and SHA-512 produce 256-bit (64 chars) and 512-bit (128 chars) hashes respectively and are currently secure. For most applications, use SHA-256.

Can hashes be reversed?

No. Hash functions are one-way by design. You cannot reverse a hash to get the original input. This is why they are used for password storage and data integrity verification. However, simple or common inputs can be looked up in precomputed rainbow tables.

What is a hash used for?

Hashes are used for password storage (storing hashed passwords instead of plain text), data integrity checking (verifying files haven't been tampered with), digital signatures, blockchain, and indexing data in hash tables.

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Security

Hash Generator

Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes from text.

Quick Answer & Summary

The Hash Generator is a fast, accurate Security utility designed to generate md5, sha-1, sha-256, and sha-512 hashes from text. entirely in your browser with zero server data storage.

Text to Hash

All hashing is done locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server.

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Toolbox Editorial TeamVerified Authors

Systems & Security Engineers • Applied Cryptography & High-Performance Web Tools

Updated: August 2026

100% In-BrowserZero server storage

Standards AuditedRFC & ISO compliant

Peer ReviewedEditorial Policy

Documentation & Guide

How to Use Hash Generator

Enter text

Type or paste the text you want to hash.

Select algorithm

Choose MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, or SHA-512.

View hash

See the generated hash instantly.

Pro Tips

SHA-256 is recommended for security

Hashes are one-way and cannot be reversed

Practical Examples & Conversions

Input

hello

Output

5d41402abc4b2a76b9719d911017c592

Frequently Asked Questions (PAA)

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Authoritative Standards & Citations

Calculations and algorithms on this page are implemented and verified in strict accordance with the following official technical specifications:

IETF Informational

RFC 6238: TOTP: Time-Based One-Time Password Algorithm

Extension of the HMAC-based One-Time Password algorithm HOTP to support time-based moving factors.

NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

NIST Special Publication 800-38D: Galois/Counter Mode (GCM)

Recommendation for block cipher modes of operation: Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) and GMAC.