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Hash Functions Explained: MD5, SHA-256 & Beyond
Understanding hash functions: how they work, common algorithms (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512), use cases, and why they matter for security.
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Free Online Hash Generator - SHA-256, SHA-512, SHA-3 & HMAC
Our hash generator lets you create cryptographic fingerprints of text and files using the most secure algorithms available. It supports the full SHA-2 family (SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512) and SHA-3 (SHA3-256, SHA3-384, SHA3-512), as well as HMAC for secret-key message authentication.
SHA-2 vs SHA-3: Key Differences
SHA-2 is the current widely adopted standard, used in TLS/SSL, digital signatures, blockchain, and X.509 certificates. SHA-3 (Keccak) is the newest NIST standard, released in 2015, with a sponge construction architecture entirely different from SHA-2 Merkle-Damgard construction. This provides complementary resistance: if a weakness were discovered in SHA-2, SHA-3 would not be affected. Both families are secure for current use.
HMAC: Message Authentication
HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) combines a hash function with a secret key to verify both the integrity and authenticity of a message. It is widely used in APIs, JWT tokens, webhooks, and secure communication protocols.
File Integrity Verification
Hashes let you verify that a file has not been modified by comparing its checksum with the value published by the author. This is essential for software downloads, file transfers, security auditing, and backup verification. All computation happens in your browser using the Web Crypto API, without sending your data to any server.
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