How to use SHA-256 Hash Generator — Free Online SHA256 Tool
- 1Type or paste your text, or choose a file to hash.
- 2The SHA-256 hash is calculated as you type.
- 3Copy the hash you need to compare it against a published checksum.
About SHA-256 Generator
SHA-256 is the hash you should reach for by default. It underpins TLS certificates, software signing, Git's newer object format and the Bitcoin network, and after twenty years of scrutiny there is still no practical attack against it.
Its most everyday use is verifying downloads. Projects publish a SHA-256 alongside a release; you hash the file you received and compare. A match means the bytes are exactly what the publisher produced, including against deliberate tampering — the guarantee MD5 can no longer give.
The one place it is the wrong tool is password storage, and for a counter-intuitive reason: it is too fast. Fast hashing helps an attacker far more than it helps you, which is why password systems use algorithms designed to be slow.
Frequently asked questions
Is SHA-256 secure?
Yes. There is no known practical attack against it, and it is the default choice for certificates, signatures and checksums today.
How long is a SHA-256 hash?
64 hexadecimal characters, representing 256 bits, regardless of input size.
Is SHA-256 good for storing passwords?
No — for the opposite reason to MD5. SHA-256 is fast, which means an attacker can try billions of guesses per second. Password storage needs a deliberately slow algorithm like bcrypt, scrypt or Argon2.
What is the difference between SHA-2 and SHA-256?
SHA-2 is the family; SHA-256 is the member producing a 256-bit output. SHA-384 and SHA-512 are the longer variants in the same family.
Is it free?
Yes — unlimited use, no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many times you run it.