What is a hash function?

A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that converts input data of any size into a fixed-size string of characters. Hash functions are one-way operations - you cannot reverse a hash back to the original data. They are commonly used for data integrity verification, password storage, and digital signatures. Combine with our Base64 Encoder for data transmission.

What is the difference between MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256?

MD5 produces 128-bit hashes and is no longer considered secure for cryptographic purposes. SHA-1 generates 160-bit hashes and is also deprecated for security. SHA-256 creates 256-bit hashes and is currently the recommended standard for secure applications. The longer the hash, the more collision-resistant it is. Use our Diff Tool to compare hash outputs.

Should I use MD5 for password hashing?

No, MD5 is not secure for password hashing. It is vulnerable to collision attacks and can be cracked quickly with modern hardware. For passwords, use dedicated password hashing algorithms like bcrypt, Argon2, or scrypt. For general security purposes, use SHA-256 or SHA-512.

What are hashes used for?

Hashes are used for file integrity verification (checking if a download is corrupted), password storage (storing hashed passwords instead of plaintext), digital signatures, blockchain technology, deduplication, and ensuring data has not been tampered with. Validate your JSON data with our JSON Validator before hashing.

Can two different inputs produce the same hash?

While theoretically possible (called a collision), modern hash algorithms like SHA-256 make this computationally infeasible. MD5 and SHA-1 have known collision vulnerabilities, which is why they are no longer recommended for security purposes. SHA-256 and SHA-512 are currently collision-resistant.

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Algorithm Info

MD5

128-bit, legacy

SHA-1

160-bit, legacy

SHA-256

256-bit, secure

SHA-384

384-bit, secure

SHA-512

512-bit, secure

BLAKE2b

512-bit, modern

BLAKE3

256-bit, fastest

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