File Checksum Calculator
Drop any file and get its MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 checksums — computed locally, nothing uploaded.
Calculate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 checksums of any file by dropping it onto the page. Hashing runs locally with the Web Crypto API, so files never leave your device — ideal for verifying downloads and detecting corruption.
How to use the File Checksum Calculator
- Drop a file onto the page or click to browse.
- All four checksums are computed locally.
- Copy any hash to compare against the published value.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check an MD5 checksum of a file?
Drop the file here and compare the MD5 row against the checksum published by the software vendor — they should match exactly.
Is the file uploaded to a server?
No. Hashing happens entirely in your browser using the Web Crypto API; even huge files never leave your machine.
What is a checksum used for?
Checksums verify file integrity — that a download wasn't corrupted or tampered with in transit.
Which hash should I use?
MD5 and SHA-1 are still common for downloads but cryptographically weak; prefer SHA-256 when verifying security-sensitive files.
Fun facts about File Checksum Calculator
- Checksums are used to verify file integrity — when you download a Linux ISO, the site usually provides an SHA-256 hash to verify the download wasn't corrupted.
- MD5 is usually faster than SHA-256, but MD5 collisions can be created deliberately, so use SHA-256 to verify downloads.
- Git identifies every commit, tree and file by a SHA-1 hash (with experimental SHA-256 repositories since Git 2.29); the hash is the object's address.
- The chance that a different file has the same SHA-256 hash as yours is 1 in 2^256, a 78-digit number.
- Cryptographic hash functions are used in digital signatures, password storage, blockchain, and file integrity verification.