SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash algorithm that produces a 256-bit (64-character hexadecimal) digest. It is part of the SHA-2 family and is widely considered secure for integrity verification.

How do I verify a SHA-256 checksum?

Compute the SHA-256 hash of your downloaded file and compare it to the checksum published by the file author. If they match exactly, the file has not been modified.

Is SHA-256 better than MD5?

Yes. SHA-256 produces a longer digest and is resistant to collision attacks. MD5 is vulnerable and should only be used for legacy compatibility, not security.

Privacy File Tools

SHA-256 checksum generator

Compute a SHA-256 checksum for any file and verify its integrity. Everything runs locally in your browser — your file is never uploaded.

100% local.Your file is processed in your browser and is never uploaded.

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When to use SHA-256

SHA-256 is the gold standard for file integrity verification. Use it to verify software downloads, check that files have not been tampered with, and confirm backups are intact. Its 256-bit output makes collision attacks computationally infeasible.

Frequently asked questions

What is SHA-256?: SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash algorithm that produces a 256-bit (64-character hexadecimal) digest. It is part of the SHA-2 family and is widely considered secure for integrity verification.
How do I verify a SHA-256 checksum?: Compute the SHA-256 hash of your downloaded file and compare it to the checksum published by the file author. If they match exactly, the file has not been modified.
Is SHA-256 better than MD5?: Yes. SHA-256 produces a longer digest and is resistant to collision attacks. MD5 is vulnerable and should only be used for legacy compatibility, not security.

SHA-256 checksum generator

When to use SHA-256

Frequently asked questions

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