SHA-512 — 512-bit — the longest standard SHA-2 hash

SHA-512 produces the longest hash in the SHA-2 family, at 512 bits (128 chars). It is well suited for places that need the maximum security margin.

Designed around 64-bit word operations, it is efficient on 64-bit CPUs and is widely used for integrity, signatures, and key derivation (such as HKDF).

Type

Cryptographic hash (SHA-2)

Bits

512

Output length

128 hex chars

Example · hash of "hello"

9b71d224bd62f3785d96d46ad3ea3d73319bfbc2890caadae2dff72519673ca72323c3d99ba5c11d7c7acc6e14b8c5da0c4663475c2e5c3adef46f73bcdec043

When to use it

Integrity of large files and archives
Key derivation and signing (HKDF, PKI)
Fingerprints for long-term archived data

Hash with this algorithm