MD5/MD4 Hash Generator
Generate MD5 and MD4 hash values for text or files with multiple output formats
Format: Plain text, Base64, or Hex string
Results MD5
About MD5 & MD4 Algorithms
MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm 5) is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit (16-byte) hash value. Designed by Ronald Rivest in 1991 to replace MD4, it was once the standard for data integrity verification and password hashing.
MD4 is a predecessor to MD5, optimized for speed but now considered cryptographically broken. While neither algorithm is suitable for security-critical applications (like SSL/TLS) due to collision vulnerabilities, they remain popular for file integrity checks, checksums, and non-cryptographic identifiers.
This tool computes hashes entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your files and text data are never uploaded to our servers, ensuring 100% privacy and security.
Key Features
Common Use Cases
FAQ
Is MD5 secure for passwords?
No. MD5 is fast, which makes it easy for attackers to brute-force or use rainbow tables to crack passwords. Use modern hashing algorithms like Argon2, Bcrypt, or PBKDF2 for passwords.
Can I decrypt an MD5 hash?
No, MD5 is a one-way function. You cannot mathematically reverse it to get the original data. However, for simple passwords, attackers can look up the hash in pre-computed databases (rainbow tables) to find a match.
What is the difference between MD5 and MD4?
MD4 was the predecessor, designed for speed. MD5 added a fourth round of operations to improve security, trading some speed for robustness. Both are now considered broken for cryptographic security.
Why do download sites still use MD5?
MD5 is still excellent for detecting accidental corruption (like incomplete downloads or disk errors). It's faster than SHA-256 and ubiquitous, making it sufficient for non-malicious integrity checks.
Does changing one character change the hash?
Yes. This is called the 'avalanche effect'. A tiny change in input results in a completely different hash output, which is why it's great for integrity checking.