SHA-1 vs SHA-256
SHA-1 vs SHA-256 compared — length, security and migration. SHA-1 is deprecated; SHA-256 is the modern standard.
SHA-1 (160-bit) is deprecated after practical collision attacks; SHA-256 (256-bit, SHA-2 family) is the current secure standard for integrity and signatures.
SHA-1 vs SHA-256 at a glance
| SHA-1 | SHA-256 | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 160-bit (40 hex) | 256-bit (64 hex) |
| Collisions | Broken (2017) | Strong |
| Status | Deprecated | Recommended |
| Use for security? | No | Yes |
When to use SHA-1
Use SHA-1 only to interoperate with legacy systems that still require it.
When to use SHA-256
Use SHA-256 for all new work — file integrity, signatures, certificates.
Tools for SHA-1 & SHA-256
SHA-1 Hash Generator
Compute SHA-1 digest of text or files in your browser using Web Crypto API. Useful for Git commit hashes and legacy systems.
Open toolSHA-256 Hash Generator
Compute SHA-256 digest of text or files in your browser using Web Crypto API. Output in hex or Base64.
Open toolMD5 Hash Generator
Compute MD5 digest of text or files (up to 50 MB) in your browser. Output in hex or Base64.
Open toolHash Generator — All Algorithms
Compute MD4, MD5, SHA-1, SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, SHA3, Keccak-256, CRC-32 and NTLM hashes of text or files in your browser.
Open toolSHA-1 vs SHA-256
Should I still use SHA-1?
No for security. SHA-1 collisions are practical, so browsers and CAs have dropped it. Use SHA-256 unless a legacy protocol forces SHA-1.