Why Use This Tool?
SHA-256 is the workhorse of modern hashing — API signatures, blockchain, file verification, and password key-derivation all build on it. This generator computes SHA-256 and SHA-512 digests locally, so secrets never travel.
Choose the algorithm from the dropdown; the digest length tells you which one ran — 64 hex characters for SHA-256, 128 for SHA-512.
How It Works
- Paste any text.
- Pick SHA-256 or SHA-512 from the dropdown.
- Generate and copy the digest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I generate a SHA256 hash?
Paste the text and click generate — the 64-character hexadecimal digest appears instantly, computed locally by a standard crypto library.
SHA256 or SHA512 — which should I use?
SHA-256 is the universal default supported everywhere. SHA-512 offers a longer digest and is actually faster on 64-bit systems for large inputs — both are considered secure.
Is SHA256 reversible?
No — it's a one-way function. Unlike encoding, a hash can't be decoded back to the original text; it can only be matched by hashing the same input again.
Tips & Things to Watch
- SHA-256 is the expected algorithm for most API signature schemes.
- Same input, same hash — always. Different by one character, completely different.
- For password storage, use Bcrypt — raw SHA hashes are too fast to be safe.