256-bit digest · local only

SHA256 Hash Generator

Compute the SHA-256 hash of any text or file in your browser — the modern standard for file integrity and software verification.

All files are processed locally in your browser — your data never leaves your device.

SHA256 Hash Generator
Or drop a file
Drop a file here or click to browse Large files supported — streamed in chunks, never uploaded

About SHA-256

SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family standardized by NIST and is today's default choice for integrity verification. It produces a 256-bit digest — 64 hexadecimal characters — and unlike MD5 or SHA-1, no practical collision attack against it is known. That is why operating system images, software releases, container registries, blockchain systems and package managers all publish SHA-256 checksums.

The most common everyday use: a download page lists a SHA-256 value next to a file. Drop your downloaded copy into this SHA256 hash generator, wait for the streamed calculation to finish, and compare the output with the published value — the hash compare tool will tell you instantly whether they match. If they do, your copy is bit-for-bit identical to what the publisher released; if not, the download is corrupted or has been tampered with.

Runs in your browser, at native speed

This tool uses the Web Crypto API built into your browser, which runs SHA-256 as optimized native code — the same implementation your browser uses for TLS. Files are read in chunks, so even multi-gigabyte files hash smoothly without being loaded into memory, and nothing is ever transmitted anywhere. Need a longer digest? Try the SHA-512 generator; need a keyed hash for API authentication, use the HMAC generator.

Also try our: SHA512 Hash Generator · MD5 Hash Generator · File Checksum Calculator

§ Frequently Asked Questions

Is my data sent to a server to compute SHA-256?
No. SHA-256 is computed locally by your browser using the Web Crypto API. Text and files never leave your device.
How long is a SHA-256 hash?
A SHA-256 hash is 256 bits, displayed as 64 hexadecimal characters.
Is SHA-256 secure?
Yes. SHA-256 has no known practical collision attacks and is the current industry standard for file verification, digital signatures, and blockchain applications.
What is the difference between SHA-256 and MD5?
SHA-256 produces a 256-bit digest and is cryptographically secure. MD5 produces a 128-bit digest and is broken against deliberate collisions, so it should only be used for accidental-corruption checks.

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