SHA-256 hash generator
Get the SHA-256 hash of text or a file.
Runs in your browser. Your files never leave your device.
- Text or file input
- Compare with expected hash
- Nothing uploaded
How to generate a SHA-256 hash
- Paste text, or switch to file mode and drop a file.
- Read the SHA-256 hash, or paste an expected hash to compare.
- Copy the result.
SHA-2 family output sizes
| Algorithm | Output length |
|---|---|
| SHA-1 | 40 hex characters (160 bits) |
| SHA-256 | 64 hex characters (256 bits) |
| SHA-384 | 96 hex characters (384 bits) |
| SHA-512 | 128 hex characters (512 bits) |
Where SHA-256 shows up
- Verifying software downloads against a checksum published by the maker.
- Proof-of-work hashing in Bitcoin and several other blockchains.
- TLS certificates and code signing, which commonly use SHA-256.
Tips for verifying a download
- Copy the expected hash from the official source, not a mirror, whenever one is published.
- Compare without worrying about case. Hex letters can be upper or lower case and still match.
- A single changed byte in the file changes the entire hash, so any mismatch means the file is not identical.
SHA-256 generator FAQ
Why is SHA-256 used for downloads and passwords?
It has no known practical way to create two inputs with the same hash, unlike MD5, so it is trusted for checksums, signatures and storing password hashes with proper salting.
How long is a SHA-256 hash?
Always 64 hexadecimal characters (256 bits).
Is SHA-256 the same as SHA-2?
SHA-256 is one specific size within the SHA-2 family, alongside SHA-384 and SHA-512.
Does this use a server to compute the hash?
No. It uses your browser's built-in Web Crypto API, so your file or text stays on your device.
Can two different files ever share a SHA-256 hash?
It is mathematically possible in theory, but no such collision has ever been found, and finding one would take vastly more computing power than exists in the world today.
Does this use a real cryptographic implementation?
Yes. It calls crypto.subtle.digest from the Web Crypto API, the same hashing code built into your browser and used by web apps that need real cryptography.
Does a matching hash prove who published the file?
Not by itself. A matching hash confirms the file was not corrupted or altered after the hash was published, but only proves who published it if the hash itself came from a source you already trust, such as a verified HTTPS page.
How fast is SHA-256 compared to MD5?
MD5 is somewhat faster per byte, but the difference is not noticeable for typical files in a browser. Both hash a multi-megabyte file in a fraction of a second on modern hardware.