SHA-256 Hash Generator
Generate SHA-256 cryptographic hashes from text or files. Hashing is done in your browser using the Web Crypto API – nothing is sent to any server.
About SHA-256
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) produces a fixed-length 64-character hexadecimal hash from any input. It's a one-way function – you can't reverse the hash to find the original input.
Common uses include verifying file integrity (comparing checksums), password hashing, digital signatures, and blockchain operations.
Properties of SHA-256
- Deterministic: The same input always produces the same hash.
- Fixed length: Output is always 256 bits (64 hex characters), regardless of input size.
- Avalanche effect: Changing even one character in the input produces a completely different hash.
- Collision resistant: It's computationally impractical to find two different inputs that produce the same hash.
FAQ
Can I decrypt a SHA-256 hash?
No. SHA-256 is a one-way hash function, not encryption. You can't reverse it to find the original input. You can only compare a known input's hash with an existing hash to check if they match.
How do I verify a file download?
Compute the SHA-256 hash of the downloaded file using the "Hash file" button, then compare the result to the hash published by the file's author.
Is the hash case-sensitive?
The hexadecimal output uses lowercase by convention, but SHA-256 hashes are case-insensitive – a3f2 and A3F2 represent the same value.