MD5 vs SHA-256 — Which Hash Algorithm to Use
Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes of any text in your browser.
The problem
You need to hash a string to verify a download, check a password hash format, generate a checksum, or compare two values without exposing the original. Most hash tools either require installing software or make you upload your data to a server — which defeats the purpose when what you're hashing is a password, a secret, or proprietary data you don't want leaving your machine.
How it works
- Type or paste text into the input.
- See MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes generated instantly — all four update as you type, no button required.
- Click Copy next to any hash to grab it in one click.
Your data never leaves your browser. All processing happens locally using the Web Crypto API.
When to use this tool
Verifying file integrity after a download, generating checksums for comparison, testing hash implementations when building an API, checking what format a stored hash is in (length tells you the algorithm), or comparing API signature formats during debugging.
Why I built it
I hash strings regularly — checking download integrity, testing API signature logic, verifying that data hasn't changed. Having all four algorithms side by side in one tool saves time. And running it locally means I'm not pasting anything sensitive into a website I don't control.
Tips and reference
Hash algorithm comparison — choose based on your security requirements:
| Algorithm | Output length | Security | Speed | Use today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD5 | 128-bit (32 hex chars) | Broken — collisions found | Fast | Checksums only, never for security |
| SHA-1 | 160-bit (40 hex chars) | Weak — collision demonstrated | Fast | Legacy systems only; Git is moving away |
| SHA-256 | 256-bit (64 hex chars) | Strong | Moderate | Signatures, certificates, blockchain |
| SHA-512 | 512-bit (128 hex chars) | Strong | Fast on 64-bit | File integrity when you want extra margin |
Important: for password hashing, don't use any of these directly. MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 are all too fast — an attacker can try billions of guesses per second. Use bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 instead, which add salt and are intentionally slow. These hash functions are for checksums and integrity verification, not password storage.
Built with vanilla HTML/JS. No frameworks, no backend, loads instantly.