Loading cryptography library...
What is a Hash?
What is a Hash?
A hash is a fixed-size alphanumeric string generated from input data using a mathematical algorithm. Hash functions are one-way operations - you cannot reverse a hash to get the original data. They are commonly used for data integrity verification, password storage, and digital signatures.
- One-Way: Cannot be reversed to original data
- Deterministic: Same input always produces same hash
- Fixed Length: Output size is constant regardless of input
- Collision Resistant: Very unlikely for two inputs to produce same hash
- Privacy: Processed locally in browser, no data sent to server
Common Uses
- Password Storage: Securely storing user passwords in databases
- Data Integrity: Verifying files haven't been tampered with
- Digital Signatures: Creating unique identifiers for documents
- Blockchain: Securing cryptocurrency transactions
- Caching: Creating unique cache keys from content
How to Use
- Select a hashing algorithm (SHA-256 is recommended for most uses)
- Type or paste your text in the input field
- The hash is generated automatically in real-time
- Click the copy icon to copy the hash to your clipboard
- For advanced algorithms like SHA3 or RIPEMD160, expand the "Advanced Algorithms" section
Glossary
- MD5
- Message Digest Algorithm 5 - produces a 128-bit hash value. Fast but no longer considered cryptographically secure.
- SHA-1
- Secure Hash Algorithm 1 - produces a 160-bit hash. Being phased out due to collision vulnerabilities.
- SHA-256
- Part of SHA-2 family - produces a 256-bit hash. Currently considered secure for cryptographic purposes.
- SHA-512
- Part of SHA-2 family - produces a 512-bit hash. More secure but slower than SHA-256.
- Checksum
- A small-sized block of data derived from another block for error detection purposes.
- Collision
- When two different inputs produce the same hash output - a vulnerability in weak hash functions.
- Salt
- Random data added to input before hashing to make rainbow table attacks ineffective.
- Hash Function
- A mathematical algorithm that maps data of arbitrary size to a fixed-size output.