About this tool
Hash Generator calculates MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 values for text or files. Text is encoded as UTF-8 and updated shortly after you type. File mode accepts any file up to 2 GB and reads it in 4 MB slices rather than loading the entire item into memory.
All five file hashers receive each slice during one pass, with progress and a Cancel control shown while reading. Results can be displayed in lowercase or uppercase and copied one at a time. Paste an expected checksum into Compare to highlight the matching algorithm or receive a clear No match result.
How to use the Hash Generator
- 1Choose Text for UTF-8 input or File for a local file.
- 2Type text or add any file up to two gigabytes.
- 3Watch file progress while all five algorithms process each shared chunk.
- 4Copy the needed digest or switch the complete results to uppercase.
- 5Paste an expected checksum into Compare and look for the highlighted Match row.
Features
Five common digests
Calculate MD5 plus SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 in a single results table.
One-pass file streaming
Feed every 4 MB file slice to all hashers before reading the next slice.
Two-gigabyte file limit
Handle large local downloads without retaining their complete byte contents in page memory.
Case-insensitive comparison
Trim and normalize an expected digest before highlighting the algorithm with the same value.
Cancelable progress display
Follow percentage completion during file hashing and stop a long operation when needed.
Frequently asked questions
Which hash should I use to check a downloaded file?
Use the algorithm published by the download provider. SHA-256 is common, while MD5 and SHA-1 remain useful only for non-adversarial checksum comparisons.
Why are MD5 and SHA-1 marked unsuitable for security?
Both have known collision weaknesses, so an attacker can create different data with the same digest under practical or increasingly feasible conditions.
Does file hashing load two gigabytes into memory?
No. File mode reads 4 MB slices and updates every selected hasher from each slice before moving forward.
Is hash comparison affected by uppercase letters?
No. The expected value is trimmed and compared without letter case, regardless of the current result display setting.
Does the selected file get uploaded for hashing?
No. Browser file slices are read locally, processed by hash-wasm, and discarded as the one-pass calculation advances.