SHA-256 Hash Generator Online
Generate SHA-256 hashes instantly in your browser. Your data never leaves your device — all hashing is performed client-side using the Web Crypto API.
Hash Generator
Generate SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 hashes using the Web Crypto API.
What is SHA-256?
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a fixed 256-bit (32-byte) output, typically displayed as a 64-character hexadecimal string. It is part of the SHA-2 family designed by the NSA and published by NIST in 2001. SHA-256 is widely used in SSL/TLS certificates, Bitcoin mining, digital signatures, and data integrity verification.
Common uses for SHA-256
SHA-256 is used to verify file integrity (checksums), secure password storage (with salt), blockchain and cryptocurrency proof-of-work, digital certificate signing, and software distribution verification. It is the default hash in Git for commit IDs and is recommended by NIST for most security applications.
SHA-256 vs other hash algorithms
SHA-256 offers a strong balance between security and performance. MD5 and SHA-1 are faster but considered broken for cryptographic purposes. SHA-512 provides a larger output but is slower on 32-bit systems. For most applications, SHA-256 is the recommended choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SHA-256 secure?
Yes. SHA-256 has no known practical collision attacks and is recommended by NIST, used in TLS, Bitcoin, and most modern security systems.
Can SHA-256 be reversed?
No. SHA-256 is a one-way function — you cannot recover the original input from the hash. This makes it ideal for password hashing and integrity verification.
How long is a SHA-256 hash?
A SHA-256 hash is always 256 bits (32 bytes), typically represented as a 64-character hexadecimal string.