What is SHA-224 and how does it differ from SHA-256? ▾
SHA-224 is a member of the SHA-2 family that produces a 224-bit (28-byte) hash value. It is essentially SHA-256 with two changes: different initial hash values, and the output is truncated to 224 bits instead of 256. SHA-224 was designed to match the security level of 3DES (about 112 bits of collision resistance) and provide a shorter digest for systems that don't need the full 256 bits.
How do I generate a SHA-224 hash online? ▾
Type or paste your text into the input box on this page, or drop a file into the File tab. The 56-character hexadecimal SHA-224 hash appears instantly. The calculation runs in your browser via the Web Crypto API — no server upload, no login, no limits.
Is SHA-224 secure? ▾
Yes, SHA-224 is considered cryptographically secure as of 2026. There are no known practical attacks against it. It provides approximately 112 bits of collision resistance, which is sufficient for most current applications. However, for new projects, SHA-256 is more commonly recommended because the small size advantage of SHA-224 is rarely meaningful in modern systems.
What is SHA-224 used for? ▾
SHA-224 is used in some certificate authorities, digital signature schemes (particularly DSA with 2048-bit keys), and in protocols requiring a hash matching the 112-bit security level of 3DES. It is less common than SHA-256 but appears in FIPS 186-4 digital signature standards and some legacy financial systems.
How long is a SHA-224 hash? ▾
A SHA-224 hash is 224 bits = 28 bytes. In hexadecimal it is exactly 56 characters using digits 0-9 and lowercase letters a-f. The empty string hashes to d14a028c2a3a2bc9476102bb288234c415a2b01f828ea62ac5b3e42f.
SHA-224 vs SHA-256: which should I choose? ▾
Choose SHA-256 unless you specifically need a 224-bit output for protocol compatibility. SHA-256 is more widely supported, equally secure for practical purposes, and the 32-byte output integrates better with many cryptographic systems. SHA-224 is roughly the same speed as SHA-256 since it shares the same internal compression function.
Can SHA-224 hashes be reversed? ▾
No — SHA-224 is a one-way cryptographic hash function. There is no efficient algorithm to compute the original input from a SHA-224 hash. Brute-force attacks would require searching the entire input space, which is computationally infeasible for any non-trivial input.
Is SHA-224 used in TLS or HTTPS? ▾
SHA-224 is rarely used in modern TLS/HTTPS. SHA-256 is by far the most common hash in current TLS cipher suites and certificates. SHA-224 may appear in some older or specialized certificates but is not in mainstream cipher suites for TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3.