Compute the SHA-256 hash of a file in the browser to verify downloads and copies.
Try an example
Load a ready-made sample into this tool and run it. Every result you see is calculated live by the tool itself — nothing here is a pre-written answer.
Sample: File: sample.txt
How to Use
- Choose a file (up to 50 MB).
- Click Run Hash.
- Compare the hash with the publisher's published value.
What this file hash generator does
This file hash generator computes the SHA-256 hash of a file directly in your browser. A hash is a short fingerprint made from the file's exact bytes: change even one byte and the fingerprint changes completely. That makes it a practical way to check that a downloaded installer, archive or document is identical to the copy its publisher released. The fingerprint itself is printed as one line of hexadecimal characters.
When to use it
Use it after downloading software, disk images or documents from a publisher that prints a SHA-256 value next to the download. Choose a file of up to 50 MB, run the hash, and compare the two strings character by character. It also helps confirm that a copied backup matches the original before you delete the source.
Good to know
A matching hash confirms the two files hold identical bytes; it does not prove a file is safe, honest or free of malware. The check reads the whole file locally on your device, and the file is never sent to this site's server.
Frequently asked questions
What does a hash actually check?
It checks identity, not quality. The tool reads every byte of your file and reduces it to one SHA-256 fingerprint. If two files produce the same fingerprint, their contents are the same; if they differ, something in the file changed.
Can this tool create MD5 or SHA-1 hashes?
No. This generator produces SHA-256 only. If a publisher lists an MD5 value instead, you will need a different tool to compare against it; comparing a SHA-256 result with an MD5 value will never match, even for the same file.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read and hashed locally in your browser, and nothing is sent to the site's server. That also means very large files depend on your device's memory, which is why the limit here is 50 MB.
How to use File Hash Generator
- Choose a file (up to 50 MB).
- Click Run Hash.
- Compare the hash with the publisher's published value.
Limitations
Hashing reads the whole file locally; a matching hash confirms identical bytes, not that the file is safe. Files are processed in your browser and never sent to the site's server.