Hashing is the process of passing data through a formula that produces a condensed fixed-value representation, called a hash value. That hash is typically a string of characters and the hashes generated by a formula are always the same length, regardless of how much data fed into it. For example, the MD5 formula produces 128-bit checksums. It converts data into blocks of specific sizes and manipulates that data a number of times.
For data security applications this requires that the hash function is collision-resistant, which means that it is very hard to find data that will generate the same hash value. Hashing is an important method used for creating a digital signature and for encrypting data.
When you download a file from the internet, it is a good safety practice to check whether you received the original version. Comparing checksums you received from the file creator with the ones you obtain by checking the file yourself is a reliable way to confirm your download’s integrity.
This article represents the best CLI tools for data hashing. We only feature free and open source software. Here’s our verdict.
Let’s explore the data hashing tools. For each program we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| CLI Data Hashing Tools | |
|---|---|
| xxHash | Non-cryptographic hash algorithm |
| b3sum | Implementation of the BLAKE3 hash function |
| RHash | Calculate and verify magnet links and various message digests |
| md5sum | Compute and check MD5 message digest; part of GNU Coreutils |
| cfv | Test and create checksum files |
| Jacksum | Work with checksums, CRCs, and message digests |
| md5 | Generate / check MD5 message digest |
| digup | Update md5sum or shasum digest files |
| cksum | Compute and verify file checksums |
| Hashrat | Hash-generation utility |
| ddgst | Hashing and checksum utility |
| QCalcFileHash | Hash calculator |
| hashdir | Checksum directories and files |
| Hash Calculator | Calculates around 50 cryptographic hashes of strings and files |
| dano | Hashdeep/md5tree for media files |
| sha3sum | Keccak, SHA-3, SHAKE, and RawSHAKE checksum utilities |
| luha | Simple file checksum tool |
| filepack | File hashing and verification |
| b2sum | Calculate BLAKE2 checksums |
| cksfv | Create and check sfv listings using CRC32 checksums |
| cksfv.rs | Reimplements the classic cksfv tool |
| hashdeep | Generate and verify file hashes |
| hashit | Generate file hashes quickly |
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