SHA1 Hash Generator

Convert any string to SHA1 hash quickly and easily

Enter the text/string which you want to hash:
The SHA1 hash is:
Generating hash...
Generate hash
The output is:

About SHA1 Hash Generator

Using the SHA1 hash generator, you can quickly and easily hash a string or any piece of text and convert it to an SHA1 hashed string. The tool is straightforward and easy to use. All you have to do is to input the string that you want to hash and then press the "Generate hash" button. Within a matter of few seconds, you'll get the hashed text for the input that you entered.

What is SHA1 and why is it important?

Secure Hash Algorithm – 1 or SHA-1 is one of many cryptographic functions designed and developed by the National Security Agency of the USA. It is also known as a digest, that works as a ‘signature’ for a text or data file. It produces a 160-bit (20-byte) value, which is generally 40 digits long. This is used to verify the unaltered state of a file. To do that, SHA-1 generates a checksum before the file is sent out and when it is received at the destination. For a genuine file, both the checksums will be identical.

Several widely used protocols use SHA-1 security. These include:

  • Transport Layer Security (TLS)
  • Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
  • Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
  • Secure Shell (SSH)
  • Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME)
  • Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)

SHA-1 is used in many cryptographic applications and in places where maintaining data integrity is of utmost importance.

How does SHA1 hashing work?

The algorithm follows the following steps:

  1. The message is fed into the SHA-1 algorithm by the sender. The algorithm generates a 160-bit digest/hash.
  2. The sender then sends the message and the digest to the recipient after signing the digest with his/her RSA private key.
  3. Once the receiver receives the message s/he again generates the digest via the algorithm and matches it with the original one.

Applications of SHA1 hash

One very common use of SHA-1 happens while logging into any website. Several websites, at their backend, use the cryptographic function to authenticate your password. Every time when you punch-in your logging id and password, a checksum is created. This checksum is then matched with the one stored on the website server. You are allowed to log-in if the two match with each other.

Another very important use of SHA-1 is in authenticating a file before downloading it from a portal/website onto your system. Suppose you are aware of the checksum of a file from the ‘A’ website. But you want to download the same file from the ‘B’ website. To confirm that the file available on the ‘B’ website is the right one and not a hidden malware, you can generate the checksum and then match it with the original. If they are not identical, it may mean one of the following:

  • File is corrupted
  • File is an older version
  • It is a malware

In such a case, it is advisable to avoid downloading such a file as there is a good chance that it may damage your system or infect it.