How it works
MD5 and the SHA family transform the input through fixed rounds of bit operations. The tools here encode your text as UTF-8 first, then hash those bytes. MD5 produces 128 bits, SHA-1 160, SHA-256 256, SHA-384 384 and SHA-512 512, all written as hexadecimal.
- MD5 and SHA-1 are broken for security; use SHA-256 or better for anything that matters.
Why it matters
Checksums, cache keys, signatures and integrity checks all depend on hashes agreeing. When two tools disagree on the same text, the values are usually fine and the input encoding is not — a difference that costs hours if you do not expect it.
A worked example
Hashing é with UTF-8 gives MD5 66ddcd97cfdeabb2f6fb8a999b4bc76f. A tool working in Latin-1 returns a different digest for the same visible character, which is why hashes often disagree online.
Common mistakes
- Comparing hashes produced with different input encodings.
- Using MD5 or SHA-1 where collision resistance matters.
- Hashing a value that still contains a trailing newline.
Practical tips
For file integrity, hash the exact bytes of the file, never a text area that may normalise line endings. For passwords, do not use these digests at all; use Argon2, scrypt or bcrypt with a per-user salt and a work factor.
How to use it
- Open the tool. Everything runs in your browser tab.
- Paste or type your input, then choose the action you need.
- Check the result and copy it with one click.
Common questions
Why does MD5 of é differ from another tool?
Input encoding. This tool hashes UTF-8 bytes; tools that use Latin-1 produce a different digest for the same visible text.
Which hash should I use?
SHA-256 or stronger for anything security-related. MD5 and SHA-1 are broken for collision resistance.
Are the hashes salted?
No. These are plain digests. For passwords use a dedicated algorithm such as Argon2 or bcrypt with a salt.
Is this tool really free?
Yes. There is no account, no paywall and no usage limit. Tools App is funded by aumenso, the studio behind it.
Is anything I enter uploaded?
No. The tool runs in your browser tab; what you enter is never sent to us and never stored.