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MD5 Hash Generator

Generate MD5 (128-bit) cryptographic hash from any text

Security Warning

MD5 is cryptographically broken and should not be used for security purposes. It's vulnerable to collision attacks and is considered deprecated for password hashing or digital signatures. Use SHA-256 or stronger algorithms for security-critical applications.

About MD5

MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5) is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit (16-byte) hash value, typically expressed as a 32-character hexadecimal number.

Common Uses (Non-Security):

  • File integrity verification (checksums)
  • Non-cryptographic data deduplication
  • Legacy system compatibility
  • Database indexing and caching keys

Why Not for Security:

  • Vulnerable to collision attacks (two different inputs producing same hash)
  • Fast computation makes brute-force attacks feasible
  • Not suitable for password storage or digital signatures
  • Officially deprecated by security standards

For security purposes, use SHA-256, SHA-3, or bcrypt/Argon2 for passwords.

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MD5 Hash Generator: Create MD5 Checksums Online

Generate MD5 hashes instantly with our free online MD5 hash generator. MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5) produces a 128-bit hash value displayed as a 32-character hexadecimal string. While no longer recommended for security applications, MD5 remains useful for file integrity checks, checksums, and legacy system compatibility.

What is MD5 Hashing?

MD5 is a cryptographic hash function that takes an input of any length and produces a fixed 128-bit output. Developed by Ronald Rivest in 1991, MD5 was widely used for password hashing and digital signatures. However, security vulnerabilities discovered over time have made it unsuitable for cryptographic security, though it remains valuable for non-security applications.

MD5 Use Cases

  • File Integrity Verification: Compare MD5 checksums to verify file downloads haven't been corrupted
  • Data Deduplication: Identify duplicate files in storage systems
  • Cache Keys: Generate unique identifiers for caching systems
  • Database Indexing: Create hash-based indexes for faster lookups
  • Legacy Systems: Maintain compatibility with older applications requiring MD5

Why MD5 is Not Secure

MD5 has known security vulnerabilities that make it unsuitable for cryptographic purposes. Collision attacks can generate two different inputs producing identical MD5 hashes, compromising data integrity. The algorithm's speed also enables brute-force attacks on password hashes. For security-critical applications, use SHA-256, SHA-3, or specialized password hashing algorithms like bcrypt or Argon2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can MD5 be reversed?

No, MD5 is a one-way hash function and cannot be reversed. However, weak passwords can be cracked using rainbow tables or brute-force attacks due to MD5's speed.

Should I use MD5 for passwords?

No, never use MD5 for password storage. Use modern algorithms like bcrypt, Argon2, or scrypt designed specifically for password hashing with built-in salting and computational cost.

Is MD5 still useful?

Yes, for non-security purposes like file checksums, cache keys, and data deduplication. Just avoid using it for any security-critical applications.

Need Secure Hashing?

For security applications, use our SHA-256 hash generator instead of MD5.