Password Hash Generator

What's the difference between MD5, SHA-256, and bcrypt?

MD5 and SHA are fast cryptographic hashes designed for data integrity, NOT passwords. bcrypt is specifically designed for password hashing with built-in salt and configurable work factor, making it much more secure against brute force attacks.

Why should I use bcrypt for passwords instead of SHA-256?

bcrypt is intentionally slow and includes automatic salt generation. SHA-256 is fast (millions of hashes per second), making it vulnerable to brute force attacks. bcrypt's work factor can be adjusted to stay secure as computers get faster.

What are salt rounds in bcrypt and how many should I use?

Salt rounds determine how many times the hashing process is repeated. Higher rounds = more security but slower processing. Use 12+ rounds for production applications. Our tool allows 4-15 rounds, with 12 as the recommended default.

How does the password verification feature work?

Our tool auto-detects the hash algorithm based on format (length and prefixes) and uses the appropriate verification method. For bcrypt, it uses the built-in compare function. For other algorithms, it rehashes the input and compares.

Is it safe to use this tool with real passwords?

Yes! All hashing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. No passwords or hashes are ever sent to our servers. However, for maximum security with production passwords, consider using dedicated server-side tools.

Can I use MD5 or SHA hashes for password storage?

No, never use MD5 or SHA algorithms for password storage. They're too fast and vulnerable to rainbow table attacks. Use bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 instead. MD5/SHA are fine for file checksums or data integrity verification.

What do the different hash formats look like?

MD5: 32 characters (e.g., 5d41402abc4b2a76b9719d911017c592)
SHA-1: 40 characters
SHA-256: 64 characters
SHA-512: 128 characters
bcrypt: Starts with $2a$, $2b$, or $2y$ followed by rounds and hash

How can I copy the generated hashes?

Simply click on any generated hash in the history sidebar to copy it to your clipboard. The hash history shows the algorithm used, timestamp, and full hash value for easy reference and copying.

🛡️ Password Storage

Always use bcrypt with 12+ rounds for password storage. Never store plain text passwords or use fast hash algorithms like MD5/SHA for passwords.

🧂 Salt Usage

bcrypt automatically generates unique salts. For other algorithms, always use a unique salt per password to prevent rainbow table attacks.

⚡ Performance vs Security

Adjust bcrypt rounds based on your security needs and server performance. Higher rounds = better security but slower login times.

🔄 Hash Upgrades

Periodically increase bcrypt rounds as computers get faster. Implement hash migration in your authentication system.

🚫 What NOT to Do

Never use MD5 or SHA for passwords. Don't implement your own crypto. Avoid storing passwords in reversible encryption.

📚 Learn More

Study OWASP guidelines, understand timing attacks, and keep up with current cryptographic best practices and recommendations.

🥇 bcrypt (Recommended for Passwords)

Pros: Built-in salt, configurable work factor, designed for passwords
Cons: Slower than SHA (by design)
Use for: Password storage, authentication systems, user accounts

🥈 SHA-256 (Good for Data Integrity)

Pros: Fast, widely supported, cryptographically secure
Cons: Too fast for passwords, no built-in salt
Use for: File checksums, data verification, digital signatures

🥉 SHA-512 (Stronger SHA Variant)

Pros: Larger hash size, part of SHA-2 family
Cons: Still too fast for passwords, larger output
Use for: High-security data verification, certificates

⚠️ MD5 & SHA-1 (Legacy Only)

Pros: Very fast, universal support
Cons: Cryptographically weak, collision vulnerabilities
Use for: Non-security checksums only (if anything)