Format guide
SHA-256 checksum
Secure Hash Algorithm 256 (FIPS 180-4)
SHA-256 produces a 256-bit (64 hex character) fingerprint. Part of the SHA-2 family, currently the default cryptographic hash for security-sensitive integrity checks: TLS certificates, Bitcoin block hashes, signed package distributions (Debian, npm, PyPI), code-signing manifests. No known practical collision attacks. Output matches `shasum -a 256` CLI format.
How to open a SHA-256 checksum file
Verify with `shasum -a 256 -c file.sha256` (`sha256sum` on Linux, `Get-FileHash` on PowerShell). Required for download verification by every reputable open-source distribution channel.
Primary use
Cryptographic file integrity for security-sensitive downloads.
Convert other formats to SHA-256 checksum
Looking for something else? Browse the full list of 192 converters.