Hash Generator
MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512 for text and files. Runs in your browser.
About this hash generator
Hash Generator calculates MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 hashes for text and files. Type or paste text and the hashes update as you type. Drop in a file of any size and every selected hash is calculated in a single pass.
The most common reason to use it is checking a download. Software publishers often list a checksum next to the file. Paste that checksum into the Expected hash box and the tool tells you whether your copy matches, and which algorithm it matched.
Hashing runs in your browser. Text and files never leave your device, which matters when you hash passwords, API keys or private documents.
Features
Five algorithms at once
MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 are calculated together. Untick any you don't need to make large files faster.
Large files, read in chunks
Files are read 8 MB at a time, so memory use stays flat even for multi-gigabyte disk images. A progress bar shows percent done and speed, and you can cancel at any time.
Built-in checksum verification
Paste an expected hash and see Match or No match. The tool detects the algorithm from the hash length, and accepts lines copied from sha256sum or BSD-style checksum files.
Several files in a row
Choose multiple files and they are hashed one after another. Each file gets its own result card with size, time taken and speed.
Live text hashing
Text is hashed as UTF-8 while you type, so any language and emoji give the same result as command-line tools.
Copy-friendly output
Copy a single hash or all of them at once, in lowercase or uppercase.
Nothing uploaded
All hashing happens on your device. No text or file content is sent anywhere.
How to use the hash generator
- 1Type text or choose one or more files.
- 2Every selected algorithm is calculated in one pass.
- 3Paste an expected hash to verify a download.
When to use it
Verify a download
Check that an ISO, installer or firmware file matches the checksum on the publisher's site before you install it.
Compare two files
Hash both files. If the hashes are the same, the files are identical byte for byte, even if their names or dates differ.
Developer debugging
Check what hash a string should produce when testing an API signature, a cache key or a database value.
Backup and transfer checks
Hash a file before and after copying it to a drive or sending it, to confirm it arrived without corruption.
What a hash is and why checksums matter
A hash function turns any amount of data into a short, fixed-length fingerprint. The same input always gives the same hash. Change a single byte and the hash changes completely.
That makes hashes useful for spotting changes. If the hash of your downloaded file matches the one the publisher lists, your copy is identical to theirs. If it doesn't match, the file was corrupted during download or changed by someone along the way.
A hash is one-way. You can't turn a hash back into the original text or file.
MD5 vs SHA-1 vs SHA-256
All five algorithms detect accidental corruption well. They differ in how hard it is for someone to deliberately create two different inputs with the same hash, which is called a collision.
- MD5 (32 hex characters): fast and still common for checksums, but collisions are easy to create. Don't rely on it for security.
- SHA-1 (40 characters): stronger than MD5, but practical collisions have been shown. Avoid it for anything security-related.
- SHA-256 (64 characters): the current default for checksums, certificates and software signing.
- SHA-384 and SHA-512 (96 and 128 characters): longer members of the SHA-2 family. SHA-512 can be faster than SHA-256 on 64-bit computers.
How to verify a downloaded file
Find the checksum on the official download page. It is often in a file called SHA256SUMS or next to the download link. Then choose Files, add the file you downloaded, and paste the checksum into the Expected hash box.
You can paste the whole line, such as a hash followed by a file name. The tool picks out the hash, works out the algorithm from its length and compares it with your results. A green Match means the file is intact.
Why use Mavros
| Mavros | Typical upload sites | |
|---|---|---|
| Where hashing happens | In your browser | Text or files sent to a server |
| Algorithms per run | Up to five in one pass | Often one per page |
| File size limit | None, files are read in chunks | Caps from about 100 MB to 1 GB |
| Checksum verification | Paste and get Match or No match | Compare by eye |
| Progress and cancel | Percent, speed and a Cancel button | Often a frozen tab |
Tips
- Get the expected checksum from the official site over HTTPS. A checksum copied from the same untrusted mirror as the file proves little.
- To hash a 10 GB file faster, untick the algorithms you don't need. One algorithm runs much faster than five.
- Text hashes depend on every character. A trailing space or line break gives a completely different hash.
- Line breaks typed in the text box are hashed as a single newline character, the Unix style. A file saved on Windows may use two characters per line break, so hash the file itself when that matters.
- Don't use MD5 or SHA-1 to store passwords. Use a slow password hash such as bcrypt or Argon2 instead.
Questions
How do I check the SHA-256 checksum of a file?
Choose Files, add the file and wait for it to finish. Paste the published SHA-256 value into the Expected hash box to compare it automatically.
Can it hash large files?
Yes. Files are read in 8 MB chunks, so even multi-gigabyte files can be hashed without running out of memory. Speed depends on your device and drive.
Is MD5 secure?
Not for security. MD5 and SHA-1 are fine for spotting accidental corruption, but they are broken for signatures and passwords. Use SHA-256 or better.
Are my files or text uploaded?
No. Hashing runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
Can a hash be reversed or decrypted?
No. A hash is a one-way fingerprint. Sites that claim to reverse MD5 only look up hashes of common words they already stored.
Why does my hash differ from another tool's?
Usually the input differs slightly, such as an extra space, a trailing newline, or Windows line endings. This tool hashes text as UTF-8 with Unix-style line breaks.
What is the difference between SHA-256 and SHA-512?
Both are in the SHA-2 family and both are secure. SHA-512 gives a longer hash and is often faster on 64-bit computers. SHA-256 is the more common choice for published checksums.
Which algorithm does my checksum use?
Look at its length in hex characters: 32 is MD5, 40 is SHA-1, 64 is SHA-256, 96 is SHA-384 and 128 is SHA-512. The tool detects this for you when you paste it.
Can I hash several files at once?
Yes. Choose several files and they are hashed one after another, each with its own results.