Hash Generator

What is Hash Generator?

Free hash generator. Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, CRC32 and HMAC-SHA256 hashes for any text or file. 100% in your browser. Instant generators for passwords, QR codes, barcodes, and more. TekPulse's Hash Generator is completely free — no signup, no ads in results, and no data stored on our servers.

How to Use Hash Generator Online

1. Type or paste the text you want to hash in the input area
2. Choose the hash algorithm: MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512
3. The hash is generated instantly in your browser using the Web Crypto API
4. Copy the hash in uppercase or lowercase as required
5. Note: Hashing is one-way — you cannot reverse a hash to get the original text

Hash Generator Formula & Calculation

A cryptographic hash function takes an input of any length and produces a fixed-length output (a 'digest') such that even a one-character change in the input produces a completely different digest, and it's computationally infeasible to reverse the digest back to the original input. This tool computes SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 using the browser's native Web Crypto API (crypto.subtle.digest) — fast, standards-compliant implementations. MD5 and CRC32 are implemented in pure JavaScript (RFC 1321 and the standard CRC-32 polynomial 0xEDB88320) because Web Crypto deliberately omits them as they're cryptographically broken, though still useful for non-security checksums like verifying file integrity after a download.

HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) combines a hash function with a secret key to prove both integrity and authenticity — unlike a plain hash, an attacker without the key can't forge a valid HMAC even if they can see the message. Example: hashing "Hello, TekPulse!" with SHA-256 always produces the exact same 64-character hex digest, but changing one letter produces a completely unrelated digest (the avalanche effect).

Key Factors That Affect Your Result

1. Algorithm choice — MD5 (128-bit) and SHA-1 (160-bit) are considered cryptographically broken (collision attacks exist) and should never be used for passwords or security signatures — only for quick non-adversarial checksums, like verifying a downloaded file wasn't corrupted. SHA-256/384/512 (from the SHA-2 family) remain secure and are the industry standard for passwords, certificates, and blockchain.
2. Digest length vs. security — Longer digests (SHA-512 = 512 bits) have a larger output space and higher collision resistance than shorter ones (SHA-1 = 160 bits), but the performance difference is negligible for typical use — security need, not speed, should drive the choice.
3. HMAC vs. plain hash — A plain hash of a password is only as secure as the hash algorithm; HMAC additionally requires a secret key, making it suitable for verifying API request signatures (e.g., webhook payloads) where only the sender and receiver know the key.
4. File hashing use case — Hashing a downloaded file and comparing it against a publisher-provided checksum (common for software ISOs and open-source releases) confirms the file wasn't corrupted or tampered with in transit.

Why Use TekPulse Hash Generator?