File Hash & Checksum Generator
Generate MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 checksums for any file online for free, right in your browser. Verify file integrity, no uploads, instant results.
About This Tool
Calculate the MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 checksums of any file to verify its integrity or confirm two files are identical. Useful for checking a download against a publisher's published checksum, verifying a file wasn't corrupted in transfer, or confirming a backup matches its source. All three hashes are generated at once, right in your browser.
How To Use
- Drop your file into the upload zone or click to select it.
- Click "Generate Hash", no settings to configure.
- MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 are all calculated in your browser.
- Download the .txt file listing all three checksums, or copy them from it.
How It Works
SHA-1 and SHA-256 are calculated using the Web Crypto API's SubtleCrypto interface, the browser's own native, hardware-accelerated implementation of these algorithms. MD5 is calculated separately using a small, well-established JavaScript library, since Web Crypto never implemented MD5 (it's considered cryptographically broken for security purposes, though it remains widely used for basic integrity checks).
Each algorithm processes your file's exact bytes and produces a fixed-length hexadecimal fingerprint. Changing even a single byte of the file completely changes all three checksums, which is what makes them useful for confirming two files are byte-for-byte identical, or that a download wasn't corrupted or tampered with in transit.
All three hashes are computed entirely inside a Web Worker on your device. Your file is read only to calculate its checksums; it is never uploaded or transmitted anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hash should I use?
SHA-256 is the modern standard for integrity and security purposes. MD5 and SHA-1 are still common for basic file verification (many software downloads still publish MD5 or SHA-1 checksums) but are not considered secure against deliberate tampering.
How do I use this to verify a download?
Generate the hash of your downloaded file and compare it character-by-character with the checksum published by the file's source. If they match exactly, the file is identical to what was published.
Why do I get different hashes for what looks like the same file?
Even a single different byte, including invisible differences like line-ending style or metadata, produces completely different hashes. The files are not actually identical.
Is MD5 secure?
No, MD5 is cryptographically broken and should not be used for security purposes like password storage. It's included here only because many tools and publishers still use it for basic file integrity checks.
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. All three hashes are calculated entirely in your browser using the Web Crypto API and a local JavaScript library. Your file never leaves your device.