File Hash Calculator
Calculate MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA512 hashes for files.
Drop file here or click to upload
Hash results will appear here.
How to Use the File Hash Calculator:
- 1 Upload or drop the file you want to hash.
- 2 Select the hash algorithms (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) you need.
- 3 Click the "Calculate Hashes" button.
- 4 The calculated hashes will be displayed. You can copy them individually.
All calculations are done in your browser. Your files are not uploaded to any server.
What is a File Hash?
A file hash, also known as a checksum or a message digest, is a unique digital fingerprint generated from a file's contents. A cryptographic hash function takes the file's data and produces a fixed-size string of characters. Even a tiny change in the file (like a single bit) will result in a completely different hash.
Why Calculate File Hashes?
- Verifying File Integrity: When you download a file from the internet, the provider often lists its hash. You can use this tool to calculate the hash of your downloaded file. If the hashes match, you can be confident the file was not corrupted during download.
- Detecting Changes: Hashes can be used to detect if a file has been modified, either accidentally or maliciously.
- Password Storage (Salted Hashes): While this tool is for files, the same hashing principles are used to securely store passwords in databases.
Understanding the Algorithms
- MD5: An older algorithm. It's very fast but is now considered cryptographically insecure for security purposes like digital signatures. It's still widely used for file integrity checks.
- SHA-1: Stronger than MD5 but also considered insecure for most cryptographic uses today. Still acceptable for non-critical integrity checks.
- SHA-256 & SHA-512: Part of the SHA-2 family, these are currently the industry standard for strong, secure hashing. They are recommended for any security-sensitive applications.