Type or paste your text, then pick SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512; the digest updates live below as you type.
The result renders as a lowercase hex string, with a Copy button next to it so you can grab the digest without selecting the text by hand. Nothing you type here is stored beyond this page session, sent to any analytics or tracking service, or tied to an account - there is no signup at all.
Hash Generator (SHA-256/512)
Paste text into Hash Generator and get a lowercase hex digest from the browser's WebCrypto API - SHA-256 is the default, with SHA-1, SHA-384, and SHA-512 available in the same dropdown.
Key features
- Hashing runs entirely on your device via crypto.subtle.digest - nothing you type is uploaded.
- Four algorithms in one dropdown: SHA-256 (default), SHA-1, SHA-384, and SHA-512.
- Copy the lowercase hex result to the clipboard with one click.
- MD5 is not offered here because modern browsers omit it as insecure; use the MD5 Converter when you specifically need MD5.
Privacy
Nothing you type is stored beyond this page session, sent to any analytics or tracking service, or tied to an account - there is no signup required.
Choosing an algorithm: length and security tradeoffs
| Algorithm | Hex characters | Bits | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHA-1 | 40 | 160 | Legacy checksums only - collisions were demonstrated in 2017 (SHAttered) |
| SHA-256 | 64 | 256 | Default choice for most security-sensitive uses |
| SHA-384 | 96 | 384 | Longer-margin variant sharing SHA-512's internal construction |
| SHA-512 | 128 | 512 | Largest digest available in this tool |
MD5 is not in the dropdown at all: its 128-bit, 32-hex-character digest was shown to have practical collisions back in 2004, which is why browsers' WebCrypto API omits it entirely. Reach for SHA-256 or a longer variant whenever the digest needs to resist tampering; SHA-1 remains here only for compatibility with older checksums, not for anything security-sensitive. SHA-384 is not a separate algorithm family from SHA-512 - it runs the same internal 512-bit process with different starting constants, then truncates the result, which is why the two share a construction but produce different output lengths.
The text box has no length limit built in, so the whole thing hashes in one pass rather than in chunks - paste a full paragraph, a config file, or a long log line and it hashes the same way as a single word.
For identifiers instead of digests, try the UUID Generator. When you need a walkthrough of the SHA options, see the Hash Generator step-by-step guide or compare options in the vs alternatives guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hash Generator (SHA-256/512) do?
Hash the text you type or paste into a SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512 digest, right in the browser.
When should I reach for hash generator (sha-256/512)?
Reach for it any time you need a SHA digest of some text - the digest updates live below as you type, and you can copy the resulting hex string with one click.
What complementary tools work well alongside hash generator (sha-256/512)?
MD5 is not offered here since modern browsers omit it as insecure; use the related md5-converter tool for that specific algorithm.
What happens if my browser cannot run WebCrypto?
If SubtleCrypto is unavailable, for example in a non-HTTPS context, Hash Generator shows an inline "Error: ..." message where the digest would appear, instead of leaving the output blank or failing silently.
Does the Copy button confirm the digest was copied?
No. Copy calls the browser's Clipboard API without a confirmation message; if the browser denies clipboard-write permission the click has no visible effect, so paste once to check when you are unsure.
Why is the digest a different length for each algorithm?
Digest length is fixed by the algorithm, not by your input text: SHA-1 outputs 40 hex characters, SHA-256 outputs 64, SHA-384 outputs 96, and SHA-512 outputs 128. Switching the dropdown recomputes the digest at that new length immediately, without retyping your text.
Will the same text always produce the same hash here?
Yes, for byte-identical input. The tool encodes your text as UTF-8 before hashing, so two strings that look the same on screen but differ in Unicode normalization, trailing whitespace, or an invisible character will produce different digests even though they render identically.
Does Hash Generator work if JavaScript is disabled?
No. There is no server fallback for hashing - if JavaScript is off, the tool box shows a message asking you to enable it instead of the textarea, algorithm dropdown, and output field.
What happens if the text box is empty?
The output area stays blank rather than showing an error - the digest only recomputes once you have typed or pasted something, and clearing the box clears the digest with it.