SHA256 Generator
Generate a SHA-256 hash from text, instantly in your browser.
How to use the SHA256 Generator
- Type or paste the text to hash.
- Choose the output format: hexadecimal (64 characters) or Base64 (44 characters).
- For hex output, optionally tick Uppercase.
- Click Run to see the SHA-256 hash.
How the SHA256 Generator works
SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family designed by the NSA and standardized by NIST. It processes the UTF-8 bytes of your text in 512-bit blocks through 64 rounds of mixing operations and produces a 256-bit digest. No practical collision or preimage attack is known, which is why SHA-256 is used for file integrity checks, digital signatures, TLS certificates and blockchains.
The hash is one-way: it can't be reversed to recover the text. For storing passwords, use a slow, salted algorithm such as bcrypt instead of plain SHA-256.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this tool free?
- Yes. Generate SHA-256 hashes at no cost, with no account required.
- Does my text leave my browser?
- No. Hashing runs entirely client-side using your browser's built-in Web Crypto API.
- Can SHA-256 be reversed?
- No. SHA-256 is a one-way hash function - it cannot be decrypted back to the original text.