SHA-256 is the gold standard for cryptographic hashing. Generate secure 256-bit (64 hex character) hashes from any text or file. Used in Bitcoin, TLS certificates, code signing, and file integrity verification. Computed locally in your browser.
SHA-256 is used in Bitcoin mining, SSL/TLS certificates, digital signatures, file integrity verification, HMAC authentication, and password hashing (as part of bcrypt/scrypt). The recommended hash for all new applications.
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How to SHA-256 Hash Generator — Secure 256-bit Hashing Online
- Open the Hash Generator tool
- Enter text or upload a file to hash
- Select "SHA-256" algorithm
- Click "Generate Hash"
- Copy the 64-character hex hash
- Use for integrity verification, blockchain, or security applications
Pro Tips
- SHA-256 always outputs exactly 64 hexadecimal characters (256 bits)
- SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family — currently no known practical attacks
- Bitcoin uses double SHA-256 (SHA-256 of SHA-256) for proof-of-work
- For password hashing: use bcrypt/scrypt/argon2 (which may use SHA-256 internally)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SHA-256 secure?
Yes. SHA-256 has no known practical attacks. It would take more energy than the sun produces to brute-force a SHA-256 hash. It is the recommended standard for all cryptographic hashing.
What is SHA-256 used for?
Bitcoin/cryptocurrency mining, TLS/SSL certificate verification, digital signatures, Git (new repos), file integrity checks, HMAC message authentication, and as a building block in password hashing.
How is SHA-256 different from SHA-1?
SHA-256 is 256 bits (vs 160), has no known collisions, and provides 128 bits of collision resistance (vs ~60 bits for SHA-1). SHA-256 is part of the newer SHA-2 family.
Can SHA-256 be reversed?
No. Hash functions are one-way by design. You cannot recover the original input from a SHA-256 hash. This is why hashes are used for password storage — even if stolen, the password is not exposed.
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