SHA-2 Hash Calculator

Calculate four SHA-2 hashes at once. Enter or paste text below to generate SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512 hashes using UTF-8 encoding. Use the small Copy button beside each result to copy only the hash you need.

What is SHA-2?

SHA-2 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2) is a family of cryptographic hash functions designed by the NSA and standardized by NIST. The family includes SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, SHA-512/224 and SHA-512/256. This calculator generates the first four variants.

A cryptographic hash converts input data into a fixed-length digest. The same input bytes always produce the same hash, while changing even one character generally produces a different hash. SHA-2 is commonly used in integrity verification, digital signatures and security protocols.

SHA-2 variants compared

Algorithm Output size Hex characters Block size Word size
SHA-224 224 bits 56 512 bits 32 bits
SHA-256 256 bits 64 512 bits 32 bits
SHA-384 384 bits 96 1024 bits 64 bits
SHA-512 512 bits 128 1024 bits 64 bits

SHA-224 uses the SHA-256 compression function with different initial values and a shorter output. SHA-384 similarly uses the SHA-512 compression function with different initial values and a shorter output.

Which SHA-2 algorithm should I use?

SHA-256 is a good default for most general-purpose cryptographic hashing and integrity checks. SHA-384 and SHA-512 are useful when a protocol requires longer hashes or an application benefits from their security properties. SHA-512 can also perform well on systems with efficient 64-bit operations. SHA-224 is mostly used for compatibility with specific standards and protocols.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter or paste text into the Input text field.
  2. Select Calculate SHA-2 hashes to generate all four hash values.
  3. Select Copy beside the desired output to copy that hash to your clipboard. Press Ctrl+V (or ⌘+V on Mac) to paste it.
  4. Select Uppercase output to change the displayed hexadecimal letter case. Copy the result you need using its individual button.

All calculations happen locally in your browser. This tool hashes UTF-8 text, not uploaded files. For a trusted checksum comparison, the reference hash must come from a trusted source.

Are SHA-2 hashes secure?

SHA-2 remains suitable for general-purpose cryptographic hashing. Unlike SHA-1, which has practical collision attacks, the four SHA-2 variants shown here have no known practical collision attacks against their full versions.

SHA-2 algorithms are fast by design, so plain SHA-2 should not be used to store passwords. Use a dedicated password-hashing method such as Argon2id, bcrypt or scrypt instead. Use HMAC with an appropriate hash algorithm when you need keyed message authentication.

Frequently asked questions

Can a SHA-2 hash be reversed?

No. SHA-2 hash functions are designed to be one-way. However, predictable input may be discovered through guessing and comparing hashes.

Why are my SHA-2 hashes different lengths?

Each algorithm produces a different fixed output size: 224, 256, 384 or 512 bits, represented by 56, 64, 96 or 128 hexadecimal characters.

Do uppercase and lowercase hexadecimal hashes represent different values?

No. Hexadecimal characters A–F are case-insensitive. Switching output case changes the presentation, not the underlying digest bytes.

Does this calculator also include SHA-512/224 and SHA-512/256?

No. This tool supports SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384 and SHA-512. SHA-512/224 and SHA-512/256 are distinct SHA-2 variants, not simply truncated SHA-512 outputs.

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