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Tools / File checksum verifier

File checksum verifier

Check that an installer or archive you downloaded is byte-for-byte what the publisher released. Pick a file, get its SHA-256 (or SHA-1, SHA-384, SHA-512) digest, and paste the published checksum to compare — case and spacing are ignored. The file is read inside your browser, which is the whole point: uploading it to a third party to verify it would defeat the exercise.

Runs entirely in your browser

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About this tool

When you download an installer or a disk image, the publisher often posts a checksum — a hash of the exact file they released. Computing the same hash on your copy and comparing the two tells you whether the file arrived byte-for-byte intact, catching both corrupted downloads and files that were tampered with in transit. This tool reads a file you select and produces its SHA-256 (or SHA-1, SHA-384, SHA-512) digest, then lets you paste the published value to compare — case and spacing are ignored.

Crucially, the file is read inside your browser and never uploaded. That is the entire point: sending a file to a third-party service to “verify” it would defeat the exercise and expose whatever the file contains. Here the hashing happens on your machine, so you can check private downloads with confidence.

A matching checksum is strong evidence the file is authentic and undamaged. A mismatch means something is wrong — re-download from the official source and check again, and be cautious if a file from an untrusted mirror repeatedly fails to match the publisher’s value.

Frequently asked questions

What does a file checksum prove?
That your downloaded file is byte-for-byte identical to the one the publisher released. A matching hash rules out corruption during download and tampering in transit; a mismatch means the file differs and should not be trusted.
Is my file uploaded to check it?
No. The file is read and hashed entirely in your browser, so it never leaves your device — which is exactly why verifying it here is safe.
Which checksum should I compare against?
Use the algorithm the publisher provides — most commonly SHA-256. Match the tool’s algorithm to the published value; if several are offered, prefer SHA-256 or stronger over SHA-1.
The checksum does not match — what should I do?
Re-download the file from the official source and check again, as incomplete downloads are the usual cause. If it keeps failing, do not run the file; a persistent mismatch can indicate a corrupted mirror or tampering.
Does case or spacing in the checksum matter?
No. The comparison ignores case and surrounding whitespace, so you can paste the published value as-is without reformatting it.

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