SHA-256 Hash Generator
Generate cryptographic SHA-256 hashes via the native Web Crypto API. Updates live as you type.
Hash appears here
What is SHA-256?
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that takes any input and produces a fixed-length 64-character hexadecimal digest. SHA-256 is a one-way function — you cannot reverse a hash to recover the original input — making it widely used for data integrity verification, digital signatures, password hashing, and cryptocurrency.
This tool generates the SHA-256 hash of any text instantly in your browser using the native Web Crypto API. Nothing you type is ever sent to a server.
How to generate a SHA-256 hash online
- Type or paste your text into the Input box.
- The SHA-256 hash appears instantly in the Output panel.
- Toggle between lowercase and uppercase hex as needed.
- Click Copy to copy the hash to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reverse a SHA-256 hash?
No. SHA-256 is a one-way function — it is computationally infeasible to determine the original input from the hash output alone. This is by design for security applications.
What is a hash collision?
A collision occurs when two different inputs produce the same hash output. SHA-256 has never had a known collision, and finding one is considered computationally impossible with current technology.
Is SHA-256 safe for password hashing?
SHA-256 alone is not recommended for password hashing because it is very fast — an attacker can try billions of guesses per second. For passwords, use a slow algorithm designed for the purpose, such as bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2.
What is the output length of SHA-256?
SHA-256 always produces a 256-bit (32-byte) digest, displayed as 64 hexadecimal characters. The output length is the same regardless of whether the input is 1 character or 1 GB.
What is the difference between SHA-256 and SHA-512?
SHA-512 produces a 512-bit (128-character) digest and uses 64-bit operations internally, making it faster on 64-bit processors. Both are part of the SHA-2 family and are considered secure.