Free SHA Hash Generator Online
Generate SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 hashes instantly in your browser. This tool runs 100% client-side, keeping your input private while providing fast, reliable results.
SHA Hash Generator
SHA FAQ
What is SHA?
SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) is a family of cryptographic functions used to generate fixed-length hashes from text or data. They are widely used in security, digital signatures, and data integrity checks.
Which SHA version should I use?
SHA-1 is outdated and not recommended for secure applications. Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 for modern cryptographic needs.
Is SHA reversible?
No, SHA hashes are one-way functions. They cannot be reversed back to the original text.
What are SHA alternatives?
For password storage, use stronger algorithms like bcrypt, Argon2, or PBKDF2, which include salting and key stretching.
What are SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512?
SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) is a family of cryptographic hash functions developed by the NSA and standardized by NIST. They are designed to produce fixed-length digests from variable-length input, ensuring data integrity and supporting digital signatures, certificates, and encryption protocols.
SHA algorithms are at the heart of modern cryptography. From verifying downloaded files to securing web traffic through SSL/TLS, SHA remains an essential building block of trust online.
Variants of SHA
| Algorithm | Hash Size | Security Status | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHA-1 | 160-bit | Broken (collision attacks) | Legacy systems only |
| SHA-256 | 256-bit | Secure (recommended) | General cryptographic use |
| SHA-512 | 512-bit | Secure (recommended) | High-security, large datasets |
SHA in Practice
- Verifying file integrity with published SHA checksums
- Securing communications in HTTPS (TLS certificates)
- Blockchain (Bitcoin uses SHA-256 for proof-of-work)
- Digital signatures and authentication in JWT tokens
While SHA-1 is deprecated, SHA-256 and SHA-512 remain widely supported across operating systems, browsers, and cryptographic libraries.
Alternatives and Related Tools
Depending on your use case, you might prefer different hash functions or key derivation methods:
- MD5 — for quick, insecure hashing or file checksums
- RIPEMD-160 — still used in Bitcoin addresses
- BLAKE2 / BLAKE3 — modern, fast alternatives to SHA
- Keccak — basis of SHA-3, used in Ethereum
- SHAKE (XOF) — extendable-output functions
- PBKDF2 / Argon2 — password hashing with salts and iterations
About This Tool
This SHA Hash Generator lets you compute SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 instantly, directly in your browser. No data is ever uploaded to a server, ensuring full privacy. Use it to experiment with hashing, learn cryptography basics, or generate digests for software development.