About the File Hash Generator
Software downloads often publish a SHA-256 or MD5 checksum so you can confirm the file arrived intact and untampered. This tool computes that checksum from a file you drop or choose, reading it in chunks so even large files hash without exhausting memory. Because the file is read locally, nothing is uploaded, which matters for private files and for large downloads that would be slow to send anywhere.
Choose the algorithm the publisher used, usually SHA-256 today, sometimes MD5 or SHA-1 on older projects. The result includes the file name and size. Compare it to the published value with the Checksum Compare tool, which checks the two strings for you.
A matching checksum confirms integrity; a mismatch means the file was corrupted in transfer or altered. For text rather than files, the per-algorithm generators such as SHA-256 take pasted input.
How to use
- Drop a file on the pane or click to choose one.
- Pick the algorithm the download page lists.
- Compare the result to the published checksum.
Common questions
- Is my file uploaded?
- No. It is read and hashed in your browser; nothing is sent to a server. This is also why it works offline once the page has loaded.
- How large a file can it hash?
- The file is read in chunks, so multi-gigabyte files work, limited mainly by time and browser stability.
- Which algorithm should I use to verify a download?
- The one the download page publishes, usually SHA-256. MD5 and SHA-1 are still common on older projects.
- The hashes do not match. What now?
- Re-download the file. A persistent mismatch means the file is corrupt or has been altered; do not run it.