About SHA-256 & SHA-512 Hash Generator
The SHA-2 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2) hash functions were designed by the NSA. SHA-2 includes significant changes from its predecessor, SHA-1. The SHA-2 family consists of hash functions with digests (hash values) that are 224, 256, 384 or 512 bits: SHA224, SHA256, SHA384, SHA512. SHA-512 operates on 64-bit words. SHA-256 operates on 32-bit words. SHA-384 is largely identical to SHA-512 but is truncated to 384 bits. SHA-224 is largely identical to SHA-256 but is truncated to 224 bits. SHA-512/224 and SHA-512/256 are truncated versions of SHA-512, but the initial values are generated using the method described in Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) PUB 180-4. The message digest algorithm for SHA256 variants consists, by default, of 64 rounds, and for SHA512 variants, it is, by default, 160.
Input: binary bytes (text input uses UTF-8; a file retains its original bytes). Output: text.
Format reference: SHA2 background and specification
Example
Use “Try example” to load this public sample and its settings, then run it.
Settings used in this example
| Parameter | Example value | Input and choices |
|---|---|---|
| Size | "256" | 512, 384, 256, 224, 512/256, 512/224 |
| Rounds | 64 | Minimum: 16 |
| Rounds | 160 | Minimum: 32 |
Input
Hello, world!
Result
315f5bdb76d078c43b8ac0064e4a0164612b1fce77c869345bfc94c75894edd3
Which SHA-2 variant is selected?
This page starts with SHA-256. Tool options also provide SHA-224, SHA-384, SHA-512 and truncated SHA-512 variants. Keep the standard round settings for interoperable checksums.
Why do checksums differ?
SHA-2 hashes exact input bytes. UTF-8 text, its Base64 representation, and a decoded binary file are different inputs. Whitespace and line endings also change the digest.
Does a matching hash prove authenticity?
Only when the expected digest comes from a trusted source. For keyed authentication use HMAC. SHA-2 alone is not a password storage scheme.
Parameters
| Parameter | Default value | Input and choices |
|---|---|---|
| Size | "256" | 512, 384, 256, 224, 512/256, 512/224 |
| Rounds | 64 | Minimum: 16 |
| Rounds | 160 | Minimum: 32 |
Before interpreting the result
Use a checksum to compare exact bytes against a trusted digest. Choose a password hashing function for passwords and a MAC for keyed authentication. MD5 and SHA-1 are unsuitable for new security-sensitive designs.
How to use this page
- Paste your input or open a local file.
- Adjust tool options if needed, then choose Run tool.
- Copy the result or download the original output bytes.
Inputs and results are not added to the public catalogue or saved in the URL. Processing happens in your browser; HTTP Request and DNS over HTTPS send the requests you explicitly run. Files up to 128 MiB can be opened; decompression and image tools may have smaller processing limits. Large results have a shortened preview. Text and HTML downloads use UTF-8; binary downloads preserve output bytes. Pasted text follows browser newline handling; open a file when exact input bytes matter.