Hashing is a one-way function that converts any input into a fixed-length string of characters. Unlike encryption, hashing cannot be reversed — the same input always produces the same output, but the output reveals nothing about the original data.

Common use cases include password storage (websites store hashes instead of plaintext passwords), file integrity verification (comparing hash values to detect tampering or corruption), and checksums (ensuring files downloaded correctly).

SHA-256 and SHA-512 are considered secure for modern applications. MD5 and SHA-1 are cryptographically broken and should only be used for non-security purposes like cache keys or deduplication. This generator runs entirely in your browser — your text never leaves your device.