MD5 vs SHA-256: Which Should You Use?
A focused MD5 vs SHA-256 comparison: output size, speed, MD5's broken collision resistance, the right use cases for each, and a clear recommendation.
Read more→Generate SHA-2 (SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512) & SHA-3 (SHA3-256, SHA3-384, SHA3-512) hashes + HMAC for free. Compare file & text checksums. 100% client-side.
Processing: local in your browser
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 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 (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.
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.
Hashes verify integrity; these tools protect the data behind them. We chose end-to-end encrypted services that put strong cryptography in your hands every day - for traffic, mail, and passwords.
Top pick
Best for: military-grade encryption for all your traffic
Military-grade encryption for all your traffic. Protect your data with 6000+ servers worldwide.
Get NordVPN→Best value
Best for: end-to-end encrypted email, calendar, drive, and VPN
End-to-end encrypted email, calendar, drive, and VPN. Privacy by default, based in Switzerland.
Try Proton→Strong alternative
Best for: open-source password manager with end-to-end encryption
Open-source password manager with end-to-end encryption. Free for individuals, affordable for teams.
Try Bitwarden→We may earn a commission through affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Recommendations are chosen for fit with the use case; not every recommendation depends on an affiliate relationship.
Learn more with related in-depth guides and tutorials.
A focused MD5 vs SHA-256 comparison: output size, speed, MD5's broken collision resistance, the right use cases for each, and a clear recommendation.
Read more→Understanding hash functions: how they work, common algorithms (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512), use cases, and why they matter for security.
Read more→Learn which file extensions can carry malware, how attackers disguise executables, scripts, macros and double extensions, and how to check a file safely.
Read more→All hashing is performed in your browser. No data is sent to any server.