Cryptology Engine

Hash Algorithms

SHA-2, SHA-3, BLAKE and other hash algorithms

What is Hash Algorithms?

Hash algorithms are mathematical functions that convert data of any size into a fixed-length string of characters (hash). To make a simple analogy, a hash algorithm is like a fingerprint of data - the same data always produces the same hash, but it is nearly impossible to recover the original data from the hash. Due to this property, hash algorithms are widely used in data integrity checks, password storage, digital signatures, and blockchain technologies.

Use Cases

  • Data integrity verification (file verification)
  • Password storage and verification
  • Blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies
  • Digital signatures
  • SSL/TLS certificates
  • Database indexing
  • Deduplication (duplicate data detection)
Key Features
  • One-way function (irreversible)
  • Deterministic (same input = same output)
  • Fast computation
  • Collision resistance
  • Avalanche effect (small change = completely different hash)
Algorithm Comparison
Algorithm
Security
Speed
Use Cases
SHA-256Very HighFast
BlockchainSSL/TLSDigital signatures
SHA-512Very HighFast
High-security applicationsLarge file hashing
SHA3-256Very HighMedium
Modern security applicationsSHA-2 alternative
BLAKE3Very HighVery Fast
High-performance applicationsReal-time hashing
BLAKE2bVery HighFast
High-performance applications
BLAKE2sVery HighFast
High-performance applications
MD5LowVery Fast
Checksum only (non-security)Not recommended for bare hashing; HMAC-SHA1 acceptable in certain compatibility scenarios
SHA-1LowVery Fast
Not recommended for bare hashingHMAC-SHA1 acceptable in certain compatibility scenarios

* Comparisons are relative to reference/hardware acceleration on 64-bit CPU

SHA-2 Family

Developed by NSA and standardized by NIST, the most widely used hash algorithm family today. Used in Bitcoin and many security protocols.

SHA-224
SHA-256
SHA-384
SHA-512
SHA-512/224
SHA-512/256

SHA-3 Family (NIST Standard)

Keccak-based modern hash algorithm family designed as the successor to SHA-2. Standardized by NIST. Uses a different mathematical structure.

SHA3-224
SHA3-256
SHA3-384
SHA3-512

Keccak (Not NIST Standard)

Original version of the Keccak algorithm. Uses different padding than SHA-3. Not a NIST standard, but used in some systems like Ethereum.

Keccak-224
Keccak-256
Keccak-384
Keccak-512

BLAKE Family

High-performance and secure hash algorithms.

BLAKE2b
BLAKE2s
BLAKE3

Legacy & Insecure

Older hash algorithms no longer considered secure. Used only for backward compatibility. Note: Not recommended for bare hashing; HMAC-SHA1 acceptable in certain compatibility scenarios.

SHA-1
MD4
MD5

Variable-Length Output (XOF)

Extendable Output Functions (XOF) - hash functions that can produce output of any desired length instead of fixed length.

SHAKE128
SHAKE256

Other Hash Algorithms

Other hash algorithms with specific use cases.

RIPEMD-160
Whirlpool
SM3
Related Standards
  • • FIPS PUB 180-4
  • • ISO/IEC 10118-3
  • • RFC 6234