Tools / Hash Identifier
Hash Identifier
Paste any hash string to instantly identify its type. The tool checks the length, character set, and prefix against known hash formats including MD5, SHA family, bcrypt, NTLM, and common Unix crypt variants.
Identification result
Hash length reference
| Algorithm | Hex length | Bits |
|---|---|---|
| MD5 / NTLM | 32 | 128 |
| SHA-1 | 40 | 160 |
| SHA-224 | 56 | 224 |
| SHA-256 | 64 | 256 |
| SHA-384 | 96 | 384 |
| SHA-512 | 128 | 512 |
How it works
Most hex-encoded hashes can be identified purely by their character count. MD5 always produces 128 bits, which encodes to exactly 32 hex characters. SHA-1 produces 160 bits (40 hex chars), SHA-256 produces 256 bits (64 hex chars), and SHA-512 produces 512 bits (128 hex chars). If a hash uses a non-hex alphabet or has a recognizable prefix like $2a$ or $6$, the format can be determined immediately.
NTLM hashes are 32 hex characters -- the same length as MD5. The key difference is that NTLM hashes are typically presented in uppercase. When you encounter an ambiguous 32-char hex hash, context matters: hashes from Windows environments are likely NTLM, while hashes from web applications are more likely MD5.
Hash challenges appear frequently in picoCTF forensics and cryptography categories. Look for hash-related challenges in the picoCTF 2024 and picoCTF 2025 crypto challenge sets.