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Free SHA-256 Hash Generator

Generate cryptographically secure SHA-256 hashes from text strings instantly. Perfect for data verification, digital signatures, and security applications. All hashing happens in your browser.

Last Updated: 15 Jan 2026

Input Text

SHA-256 Result

Securely generated using the native Browser Crypto API.

What is SHA-256 Hashing?

SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that takes an input (text, file, or data) and produces a fixed-size 256-bit hash value, typically displayed as a 64-character hexadecimal number. SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family of cryptographic hash functions designed by the NSA and published by NIST in 2001.

SHA-256 is cryptographically secure, meaning it's resistant to collision attacks and provides strong security guarantees. It's widely used in digital signatures, SSL/TLS certificates, blockchain technology (Bitcoin uses SHA-256), and security-critical applications where data integrity and authenticity are essential.

Why Use Our Free SHA-256 Hash Generator?

100% Client-Side

All SHA-256 hashing happens entirely in your browser using Web Crypto API. Your input never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Cryptographically Secure

Uses the standard SHA-256 algorithm with cryptographic security guarantees. Suitable for security-critical applications and data verification.

Instant Generation

Generate SHA-256 hashes instantly as you type. No delays, no server requests. Get results immediately for faster workflow.

Common Use Cases for SHA-256 Hashing

Security Applications

Digital Signatures
Generate SHA-256 hashes for digital signatures, ensuring document authenticity and integrity in secure communications.
Data Integrity Verification
Verify data integrity by comparing SHA-256 hashes before and after transmission or storage to detect tampering or corruption.
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
SHA-256 is fundamental to Bitcoin and many blockchain technologies, used for mining, transaction verification, and block hashing.

Development

API Security
Generate SHA-256 hashes for API request signatures, HMAC authentication, or secure token generation in web applications.
File Checksums
Generate SHA-256 checksums for files to verify they haven't been corrupted, modified, or tampered with during transfer.
Password Hashing (with salt)
While SHA-256 alone isn't ideal for passwords, it can be used with key derivation functions (PBKDF2, bcrypt) for secure password storage.

SHA-256 Security Features

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Collision Resistance

SHA-256 is designed to make it computationally infeasible to find two different inputs that produce the same hash value.

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Preimage Resistance

Given a hash value, it's computationally infeasible to find the original input that produced that hash.

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Deterministic Output

The same input always produces the same hash, making SHA-256 reliable for verification and comparison purposes.

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Avalanche Effect

Small changes in input produce completely different hash values, ensuring that similar inputs don't produce similar hashes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SHA-256 hashing?

SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value, typically displayed as a 64-character hexadecimal number. SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and is widely used for security applications, digital signatures, and data integrity verification.

Is SHA-256 secure for passwords?

SHA-256 alone is not recommended for password hashing. While it's cryptographically secure, it's fast and vulnerable to rainbow table attacks. For passwords, use key derivation functions like bcrypt, Argon2, or PBKDF2 with SHA-256, which add salt and multiple iterations.

What is SHA-256 used for?

SHA-256 is used for digital signatures, SSL/TLS certificates, blockchain technology (Bitcoin), data integrity verification, file checksums, and security-critical applications where collision resistance and cryptographic security are required.

Is my data secure when using this tool?

Yes, all SHA-256 hashing happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your input text never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Can I reverse a SHA-256 hash?

No, SHA-256 is a one-way hash function. You cannot reverse a hash to get the original input. This one-way property is essential for security applications like digital signatures and password verification.

Is SHA-256 better than MD5?

Yes, SHA-256 is significantly more secure than MD5. MD5 is vulnerable to collision attacks and should not be used for security purposes. SHA-256 is cryptographically secure and suitable for security-critical applications.

Are SHA-256 hashes always the same?

Yes, the same input always produces the same SHA-256 hash. This deterministic property makes SHA-256 reliable for data verification, digital signatures, and integrity checks.

Can I use SHA-256 for password hashing?

SHA-256 alone is not recommended for password hashing. Use key derivation functions like bcrypt, Argon2, or PBKDF2 with SHA-256, which add salt and multiple iterations to protect against rainbow table attacks.