Hash Algorithms Comparison Guide

Different hash algorithms serve different purposes. Choosing the wrong one can create security vulnerabilities or compatibility issues with legacy systems.

Algorithm Overview

MD5: 128-bit, fast, broken for security — legacy checksums only. SHA-1: 160-bit, deprecated for security. SHA-256: 256-bit, current standard for integrity and blockchain. SHA-512: 512-bit, higher security margin for long-term archives.

Choosing the Right Hash

File integrity: SHA-256. API signatures: match your backend algorithm. Cache keys: MD5 acceptable for non-security use. Password storage: never hash in browser — use bcrypt/Argon2 on server.

Compare all four at once with WaiHub's Hash Generator.