Hash Generator & Comparator

What this tool does

The Hash Generator creates SHA-256 or SHA-512 hashes for text or files directly in your browser. It also provides a built-in comparison panel so you can verify whether two hashes match. This is useful for integrity checks, validating downloads, and confirming that two inputs are identical without sharing sensitive content.

When to use this tool

Use it when a vendor provides a reference hash for a download, when you need to verify a file before deployment, or when comparing outputs from different systems. If you only need a comparison view for existing hashes, you can also use Hash Compare for a focused workflow.

How it works

The tool uses your browser’s cryptography APIs to hash the input. For text, it hashes the exact characters you paste. For files, it reads the file locally and computes the hash without uploading anything. The output is shown as a hexadecimal string that you can copy or compare.

Example use case

You download a firmware update and the vendor lists a SHA-512 checksum. Select the file, choose SHA-512, and generate the hash. Paste the vendor’s checksum into the compare section and confirm the match before applying the update.

Use cases

• Generate a SHA-256 hash before uploading a file.
• Create a checksum for a release artifact.
• Hash text to build a cache key or identifier.

Notes & limitations

Hashes are deterministic, but a single character change will produce a completely different value. Ensure you are comparing the correct algorithm. This tool does not validate digital signatures or certificates; it only computes hashes. Large files can take time to process depending on your device and browser.

Text hashing depends on the exact characters, including line endings. A file with Windows line endings may produce a different text hash than the same content with Unix line endings. If you are comparing text across systems, normalize the input first to avoid false mismatches.

For file verification, always hash the original file rather than a copy that may have been re-encoded.